The season for spooks and goblins is over. We're headed toward holidays that elicit fears of chubby tummies and clothes that no longer fit, so something at least partly mysterious fits the bill for this month's column.

In past columns, we've tackled some far scarier topics: dead bodies, bats, rats, and skunks. Still, the “other structure” represents one of the more mysterious issues. At first, it seems straightforward enough. An “other structure” is simply a structure other than the dwelling. But therein lies the rub. What exactly is a structure? Does it have to be a building, or can it be something different? Is it permanent or temporary?

Let's start at the beginning. Neither the ISO HO 00 03 nor the AAIS HO 0003 define other structures. ISO refers to other structures while AAIS refers to related private structures, and both must be unattached to the dwelling. Both policies consider a structure unattached if it connects to the dwelling by only a fence, a utility line, or a similar connection. Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a structure as “something (as a building) that is constructed; something arranged in a definite pattern of organization.” A building is a usually roofed and walled structure built for permanent use (as for a dwelling). So while a building is a structure, a structure is not necessarily a building. This is where problems begin.