Mississippi Code Title 43. Public Welfare § 43-35-101

(a) “Municipality” shall mean any city, town or village in this state.

(b) “Governing body” shall mean the board of aldermen, council, board, or commissioners, or other legislative body, charged with governing a municipality.

(c) “Public officer” shall mean the officer or officers in charge of any municipal department who are authorized by ordinance adopted hereunder to exercise the powers prescribed by such ordinance and by this article.

(d) “Public authority” shall mean any housing authority, or any officer who is in charge of any department or branch of the government of the municipality or state relating to health, fire, building regulations, or to other activities concerning buildings in the municipality.

(e) “Owner” shall mean the holder of the title in fee, or a mortgagee or trustee, whose interest is shown of record, or who is in possession of a building, or any person in control of a building, or the agent of any such person.

(f) “Parties in interest” shall mean individuals, associations, or corporations who have an interest of record in or who are in possession of a building.

(g) “Building” means any building or structure or part thereof used and occupied by humans as a dwelling, store, factory, warehouse, requiring the presence of humans therein, or intended to be so used, and includes any yard, garden, parking or storage area, outhouses, and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.