What does the term 'statutory' refer to?

The term 'statutory' specifically refers to something that is related to statutes, which are laws enacted by a legislative body. This means it pertains to rules or regulations that are formally approved and codified within the legal framework, often by state or federal government bodies. Understanding this term is crucial in fields like land surveying, where compliance with statutory regulations governs practices such as property boundaries, zoning, and land use.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the meaning of 'statutory.' While one option suggests a relation to a statue, this lacks any legal connotation and refers only to a physical object. Another option about natural occurrences does not relate at all to legislative context, and the choice regarding contracts speaks more to agreements between parties rather than to laws established by government authorities. Hence, the term 'statutory' firmly aligns with laws and regulations set forth by governing entities.