South Dakota § 43-20-2 - Definition of terms.
Full text of South Dakota South Dakota Codified Laws § 43-20-2 — Definition of terms., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 43-20-2. Definition of terms.
Terms used in this chapter mean:
(1) "Accessory to a corner," any exclusively identifiable physical object whose spatial relationship to the corner is recorded. The term includes bearing trees, bearing objects, monuments, reference monuments, line trees, pits, mounds, charcoal-filled bottles, steel or wooden stakes, or other similar objects;
(2) "Board," the Board of Technical Professions;
(3) "Corner," unless otherwise qualified, a property corner, a property controlling corner, or a public land survey corner;
(4) "Monument," an accessory that is presumed to occupy the exact position of a corner;
(5) "Property controlling corner," any corner that may or may not lie on a property line, but that controls the location for one or more property corners;
(6) "Property corner," a geographic point that controls a property line;
(7) "Public land survey corner," any corner established and monumented in an original survey or resurvey used as a basis of legal description for issuing a patent for the land to a private person from the state or federal government;
(8) "Reference monument," a special monument that does not occupy the same geographical position as the corner itself, but whose spatial relationship to the corner is recorded and serves to witness the corner;
(9) "Survey," any field operation in which corners are used to locate streets, roads, utilities, airports, railroads, buildings, dams, canals, drainage ways, or any other works as well as property boundaries;
(10) "Registered land surveyor," a person who is licensed by the board and is in good standing and legally authorized to practice land surveying in this state.
Source: SL 1967, ch 58, § 3; SL 1982, ch 297, § 5; SL 1990, ch 309, § 4; SL 2019, ch 176, § 2.
Source: official South Dakota text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Dakota § 43-20-2
What does South Dakota Codified Laws § 43-20-2 cover?
Section 43-20-2 ("Definition of terms.") is part of the South Dakota Codified Laws, the codified statutory law of South Dakota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Dakota § 43-20-2?
A common citation format is "South Dakota Codified Laws § 43-20-2" (South Dakota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Dakota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Dakota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Dakota attorney.
How does South Dakota § 43-20-2 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Dakota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Dakota.