Opinion ID: 901532
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: 2(b What are Other Buildings on the Premises?

Text: [¶ 25.] In examining Buses' grain bins and shed, the circuit court concluded that other buildings on the premises meant any structures which are real property that are used by the owner or occupant of that premises. Thus, under the circuit court's interpretation other buildings on the premises included buildings in and around the farmstead. Lewis & Clark argues this interpretation is too broad. Lewis & Clark points out that the term building is defined in SDCL 36-18A-1(5) as any structures used or intended to support or shelter any occupancy. From this, Lewis & Clark argues that the definition of other buildings in SDCL 46-8-1.2 should be construed in pari materia with SDCL 36-18A-1(5) so that other buildings are limited to occupied structures. We disagree. [¶ 26.] Statutes are construed in pari materia when they relate to the same person or thing, to the same class of person or things, or have the same purpose or object. Goetz, 2001 SD 138, ¶ 26, 636 N.W.2d at 683 (citing 2B Sutherland, Statutory Construction at § 51:03). However, [c]haracterization of the object or purpose [of the statute] is more important than characterization of the subject matter in determining whether different statutes are closely related enough to justify interpreting one in light of another. Id. Thus, the adventitious occurrence of like or similar phrases, or even of similar subject matter, in laws enacted for wholly different ends will normally not justify applying the rule. 2B Sutherland, Statutory Construction at § 51:03. [¶ 27.] Here, the statutes that Lewis & Clark seeks to construe in pari materia deal with different purposes and objects. SDCL Title 36 deals with the regulation of professions and occupations, whereas SDCL Title 46 deals with water rights and eminent domain. Because the purposes and objects of these statutes are so different, we cannot construe them in pari materia to conclude that other buildings must be occupied structures. [¶ 28.] Instead, we give the words of SDCL 46-8-1.2 their plain meaning and effect. See generally Goetz, 2001 SD 138, ¶ 16, 636 N.W.2d at 681. The plain meaning of the phrase dwelling house or other buildings on the premises is clear. The Legislature's disjunctive reference to a dwelling house or other buildings clearly reveals that it intended that the restriction apply to both occupied dwellings and to other buildings, i.e., unoccupied buildings on the premises. Thus, we agree with the circuit court that other buildings may include structures, whether occupied or not. However, the Legislature required that the other buildings must be on the premises. This means that there must be some geographical nexus with the dwelling house. Although it would not be necessary that the other building be immediately adjacent to the dwelling, it must have some legitimate use with and proximity to the dwelling house. [¶ 29.] In this case, Buses' grain bins and shed are located on the same farmstead as the dwelling house. In addition, the Buses use these buildings for farming purposes associated with the dwelling. Therefore, the grain bins and machine shed are other buildings on the premises to which the 250 foot setback applies. [7]