§ 26-2. Grades required before construction.

(a) In general.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to dig or lay the foundation of any building or to construct or reconstruct any building on any premises binding or abutting on any existing or proposed public or private street, lane, or alley or to construct any wall or fence binding or abutting on any such street, lane, or alley before the grades of all such streets, lanes, and alleys have been duly established, as provided for in §§ 18-1 through 18-4 of this article and before the said established grades have been duly marked on the ground by or with the approval of the Department of Public Works, unless the Director of Public Works certifies that in his opinion the said duly established grade lines or lines are already sufficiently marked on the ground by the existing physical improvements or landmarks.

(b) Compliance required for building permit.

The Commissioner of Housing and Community Development shall not issue any permit to dig or lay the foundation of any building or to construct or reconstruct any building on any premises binding or abutting on any existing or proposed public or private street, lane, or alley or to construct any wall or fence binding or abutting on any such street, lane, or alley before the grades of all such streets, lanes, and alleys have been duly established as provided for in §§ 18-1 through 18-4 of this article.