SDCL § 34-12-2: License required to operate institution.

No person, partnership, limited liability company, association, or corporation may establish, conduct, or maintain in the State of South Dakota, any health care facility or related institution for the hospitalization or care, or both, of human beings without first obtaining a license from the South Dakota Department of Health in the manner provided in this chapter. The term, corporation, as used in this chapter means public and municipal corporations as well as private corporations.