How strata council elections work in BC

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

How many council members

The number of persons on council is determined by the bylaws (section 29). Under Standard Bylaw 9:

• the council must have at least 3 and not more than 7 members, and
• if the strata plan has fewer than 4 strata lots, or the strata corporation has fewer than 4 owners, all the owners are on the council.

Within the range, the meeting decides how many to elect that year. Settle the number by motion before nominations: "that council consist of five members for the coming year."

Who can stand

Section 28 allows owners, individuals representing corporate owners, and tenants who have been assigned a landlord's right to stand for council. A strata may pass a bylaw allowing other classes of persons. If a lot has more than one owner, only one of them may be on council at a time for that lot, unless all owners are on council (section 29). A strata may also have a bylaw barring owners of lots in lien-eligible arrears. See council eligibility.

Nominations

The Act and Standard Bylaws do not prescribe a nomination process, so stratas follow custom:

• Before the meeting: the notice invites owners to put names forward, and may list those who have agreed to stand.
• From the floor: the chair calls for nominations three times. A nominee must consent. An absent owner can be nominated if they have given written consent.
• Close nominations by declaration once there are no more.
• A few words from each candidate, one or two minutes, helps voters.

Voting

The election is step (m) in the order of business under Standard Bylaw 28.

• If the number of candidates equals or is fewer than the positions, many chairs declare them elected by acclamation. A cautious chair still puts a single motion to elect the nominees, decided by majority vote, so the minutes show a vote.
• If there are more candidates than positions, hold a ballot. Each eligible voter may vote for up to the number of positions.
• Secret ballot. An election must be held by secret ballot if an eligible voter requests it (Standard Bylaw 27(7)). Most contested elections use one as a matter of course.
• Majority. Section 50 says matters at a general meeting are decided by majority vote unless a different threshold applies. The Civil Resolution Tribunal has, in a number of decisions, read that as requiring each successful candidate to receive a majority of the votes cast, not simply more votes than the next candidate. Where the top candidates do not all reach a majority, a further ballot among the remaining candidates for the unfilled seats is the safe course.
• Ties for the last seat are resolved by a further ballot between the tied candidates.

Appoint scrutineers who are not candidates. See secret ballots and voting cards.

Terms and vacancies

A council member's term ends at the end of the AGM at which the new council is elected, and members are eligible for re-election (Standard Bylaw 10). There are no term limits in the Act or Standard Bylaws. During the year:

• if a member resigns or is unwilling or unable to act for two months or more, the remaining members may appoint a replacement for the rest of the term (Standard Bylaw 12), and
• the owners may remove a member by majority vote at a general meeting and must elect a replacement at the same meeting (Standard Bylaw 11).

Officers are not elected at the AGM

Owners elect the council. The council then elects its own president, vice president, secretary and treasurer at its first meeting (Standard Bylaw 13). A candidate cannot be elected "as president" by the AGM under the Standard Bylaws. See the first council meeting after the AGM.

Recording the election

Minutes normally list those elected. Individual vote totals are recorded only if the meeting asks.

Questions councils and owners ask

How many people must be on a strata council in BC?

Under the Standard Bylaws, at least three and not more than seven, or all owners where there are fewer than four lots or owners.

Are there term limits for strata council members?

No. Terms end at each AGM and members may be re-elected, unless your own bylaws set a limit.

Can a council election be held by show of hands?

Yes, unless an eligible voter requests a secret ballot, in which case one must be held.

What if not enough owners stand for council?

The strata needs at least three members under the Standard Bylaws. If too few stand, council may later appoint to fill vacancies under Standard Bylaw 12. A strata that cannot form a council risks a court-appointed administrator.

Do owners elect the president?

No. Council elects its officers from among its members at its first meeting after the AGM.

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

Council Eligibility
First Council Meeting After the AGM
Secret Ballots and Voting Cards
Removing Members
Council Roles
AGM Order of Business