The following terms whenever used or referred to in this article shall have the following respective meanings for the purposes of this article, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(1) "Municipality" shall mean any city or town regardless of population;

(2) "Governing body" shall mean the council or other legislative body charged with governing a municipality;

(3) "Public officer" shall mean the officer or officers who are authorized by ordinances adopted hereunder to exercise the powers prescribed by such ordinances and by this article;

(4) "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 or building regulations or to other activities concerning dwellings in the municipality;

(5) "Owner" shall mean the holder of the title in fee simple and every mortgagee of record;

(6) "Parties in interest" shall mean all individuals, associations, corporations and others who have interests of record in a dwelling and any who are in possession thereof; and

(7) "Dwelling" shall mean any building or structure, or part thereof, used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used and includes any outhouses and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.