27-2-208. Actions for damages arising out of work on improvements to real property or land surveying. - Montana Statutes

     27-2-208. Actions for damages arising out of work on improvements to real property or land surveying. (1) Except as provided in 70-19-427(1) and subsections (2) and (3) of this section, an action to recover damages (other than an action upon any contract, obligation, or liability founded upon an instrument in writing) resulting from or arising out of the design, planning, supervision, inspection, construction, or observation of construction of any improvement to real property or resulting from or arising out of land surveying of real property may not be commenced more than 10 years after completion of the improvement or land surveying.
     (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), an action for damages for an injury that occurred during the 10th year after the completion of the improvement or land surveying may be commenced within 1 year after the occurrence of the injury.
     (3) The limitation prescribed by this section may not affect the responsibility of any owner, tenant, or person in actual possession and control of the improvement or real property that is surveyed at the time a right of action arises.
     (4) As used in this section:
     (a) "completion" means that degree of completion at which the owner can utilize the improvement for the purpose for which it was intended or when a completion certificate is executed, whichever is earlier;
     (b) "land surveying" means the practice of land surveying, as defined in 37-67-101.
     (5) This section may not be construed as extending the period prescribed by the laws of this state for the bringing of any action.

     History: En. Secs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Ch. 60, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 93-2619, 93-2620, 93-2621, 93-2622, 93-2623; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 62, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 412, L. 2003.