A code of conduct for strata council members

Last reviewed November 10, 2026, against the current Strata Property Act, Strata Property Regulation and Standard Bylaws on BC Laws.

What the law already requires

• Standard of care (section 31). Honesty, good faith, the best interests of the strata corporation as a whole, and the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent person in comparable circumstances. This is not a professional's standard, but it is not nothing: read the material, ask questions, get advice when a decision needs it.
• Conflict of interest (section 32). A member with a direct or indirect interest in a contract, transaction or matter before council that could materially conflict with their duty must disclose it fully and promptly, abstain from voting, and leave the meeting during discussion and the vote, unless council asks them to stay to provide information.
• Accountability (section 33). If a member fails to comply with section 32, the strata or an owner may apply to court, which can set the contract aside and require the member to pay compensation or hand over profit.
• Complaints about a council member's own bylaw contravention (section 136). The member must not take part in the decision.
• Acting through council (sections 4 and 26). The strata's powers are exercised by council, not by individual members acting alone.

Why adopt a code as well

The Act says what the standard is. It does not say whether a council member may forward council emails to a neighbour, promise an owner a decision in the hallway, or raise their voice at the manager. A one-page code:

• gives new members clear expectations,
• gives the president something to point to when behaviour slips,
• reassures owners, and
• supports the strata's position if a decision is later challenged as made in bad faith.

A model code of conduct

Each council member agrees to:

1. Act for the whole strata. Put the interests of the strata corporation ahead of personal interests, those of friends, or those of any group of owners.
2. Prepare and attend. Read the meeting package, attend meetings, and send regrets in advance when unable to attend.
3. Decide at meetings. Make decisions by motion at properly called council meetings, and support the implementation of decisions once made, even after voting against them.
4. Disclose conflicts. Declare any interest as soon as it arises, abstain, and leave the room, as section 32 requires.
5. Keep confidences. Not disclose personal information about owners, tenants, employees or contractors, or the content of in camera discussions and legal advice, except as the law requires.
6. Speak with one voice. Not make commitments on council's behalf without authority. Refer requests to council.
7. Treat people with respect. Be courteous to owners, tenants, fellow council members, the manager, employees and contractors, in person and in writing.
8. Use strata property and information properly. No personal benefit, gifts of more than token value, or special treatment.
9. Follow the bylaws, and accept that complaints about a council member are handled without that member.
10. Hand over. Return records, keys and passwords on leaving council.

How to adopt it

A code can be adopted three ways, with different weight.

Most stratas begin with a council motion at the first meeting after the AGM, with each member signing a copy.

What a code can and cannot do

A code cannot remove a council member. Council members are elected by the owners, and under Standard Bylaw 11 only the owners can remove one, by majority vote at a general meeting. Council itself cannot expel a member or strip their vote. What council can do when a member breaches the code:

• raise it privately, then at a council meeting,
• record a motion of concern in the minutes, in neutral words,
• change that member's officer role or delegated duties, since officers and delegations are council's to decide, and
• bring a removal resolution to the owners.

See removing a council member.

Confidentiality in practice

Council members see arrears lists, complaint letters, medical information in accommodation requests and legal advice. The strata corporation is subject to BC's Personal Information Protection Act. Practical rules: use a council email address or shared folder, not personal inboxes that leave with the member, do not discuss individual owners outside meetings, and keep in camera matters in camera. See privacy and PIPA.

Questions councils and owners ask

Is a strata council code of conduct required in BC?

No. The Act sets the standard of care and conflict rules. A written code is optional good practice.

Can council remove a member who breaks the code?

No. Only the owners can remove a council member, by majority vote at a general meeting, unless your bylaws provide another process.

What is the standard of care for council members?

To act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the strata corporation, and to exercise the care, diligence and skill of a reasonably prudent person in comparable circumstances.

Must a council member leave the room for a conflict?

Yes, during discussion and the vote, unless council asks them to stay to provide information.

Should the code be in the bylaws?

It can be, by a 3/4 vote. Many stratas prefer a council-adopted code that can be updated easily.

This page is general information for BC strata corporations, not legal advice. Your strata's own filed bylaws may differ from the Standard Bylaws. See the current text of the Strata Property Act and the Strata Property Regulation on BC Laws.

Related guides

Conflicts
Council Member Liability
Council Roles
New Council Member Guide
In Camera Council Meetings
Removing Members