Strata council meetings in BC: notice, quorum, voting and minutes
Most of a strata's real decisions are made at council meetings, not at the AGM. The Standard Bylaws set out how those meetings run, and most councils follow them more loosely than they should.
Last reviewed November 13, 2026, against the current Strata Property Act, Strata Property Regulation and Standard Bylaws on BC Laws.
The short answer
Under the BC Standard Bylaws (14 to 19), any council member can call a council meeting with one week's notice to the other members. Quorum is 2 for a council of 2 to 4, 3 for 5 or 6, and 4 for 7. Meetings may be held electronically if everyone can communicate. Owners may attend as observers, except for bylaw hearings and matters that would unreasonably interfere with privacy. Decisions are by majority of members present, the president breaks a tie, every vote result goes in the minutes, and owners must be informed of the minutes within 2 weeks. Your strata's filed bylaws may differ.
The rules in one table
These are the Standard Bylaws, which apply unless your strata has filed different bylaws at the Land Title Office (section 120).
| Topic | Standard Bylaw rule | Bylaw |
|---|---|---|
| Who can call a meeting | Any council member | 14(1) |
| Notice to council members | At least one week, stating the reason; need not be in writing | 14(1), (2) |
| Shorter notice | If all members consent in advance, or for an emergency | 14(3) |
| Telling owners | Inform owners about a meeting as soon as feasible after it is called | 14(4) |
| Quorum | 2 (council of 2 to 4), 3 (5 or 6), 4 (7) | 16 |
| Electronic meetings | Allowed if all participants can communicate | 17(1), (2) |
| Observers | Owners may attend, with exceptions | 17(3), (4) |
| Decisions | Majority of members present | 18(1) |
| Tie vote | President may cast a second, deciding vote (not in two-lot stratas) | 18(2) |
| Minutes | Record all vote results; inform owners within 2 weeks | 18(3), 19 |
There is no Standard Bylaw that sets how often council must meet. See how often council should meet.
Calling the meeting and telling owners
Any council member can call a meeting, not just the president. One week's notice to the other members is the default, and the notice must give the reason. It can be by phone, text or email. Shorter notice is allowed only if every member agrees in advance, or if an emergency requires it and members either consent or cannot be reached after reasonable attempts.
Standard Bylaw 14(4) also requires council to inform owners about a meeting as soon as feasible after it is called. This is often overlooked. A notice board posting, an email to owners, or a portal calendar entry all work. Without it, owners cannot exercise their right to observe.
A short written agenda helps the meeting run on time and gives the minute-taker a structure. Our council meeting agenda guide includes a template.
StrataMinutes can take this off your plate. Every decision on this page has to end up in the minutes, with the vote. Send us your notes or a recording and we prepare the minutes for you. Your first month is free.
Quorum, attendance and observers
Quorum under Standard Bylaw 16 depends on the size of the council: 1 for a council of one, 2 for a council of 2 to 4, 3 for a council of 5 or 6, and 4 for a council of 7. Members must be present in person to count, but a member attending an electronic meeting is deemed present in person (Standard Bylaw 17(2)). Record who is present at the start and note any member who leaves, since a decision made after quorum is lost is open to challenge.
Owners may attend council meetings as observers (Standard Bylaw 17(3)). They are not entitled to speak or vote unless council invites them to. Observers must leave for:
- bylaw contravention hearings under section 135, and
- any other matter where, in council's opinion, their presence would unreasonably interfere with someone's privacy.
Council must still record the decision on those matters in the minutes, in general terms. See in-camera council meetings and who can attend.
Voting and decisions
Decisions are made by a majority of the council members present (Standard Bylaw 18(1)). If the vote ties, the president may cast a second, deciding vote, except in a strata with only two lots (18(2)). Every vote result must be recorded in the minutes (18(3)).
Two points catch councils out:
- Email decisions between meetings. The Standard Bylaws have no procedure for voting by email outside a meeting. Many councils do it anyway and confirm the decision at the next meeting. See council email voting for the risks and safer wording.
- Conflicts of interest. Under section 32, a council member with a direct or indirect interest must disclose it, abstain from voting and, if asked by the council, leave the room. The minutes should show all three.
Minutes and the two-week deadline
Section 35 requires minutes of every council meeting, including the results of any votes. Standard Bylaw 19 then requires council to inform owners of the minutes within 2 weeks of the meeting, whether or not they have been approved. Council approves the minutes at its next meeting, but the draft goes out first.
Good council minutes record:
- the date, time, place or electronic platform, and who attended,
- that quorum was present,
- each motion as moved, who moved and seconded it if your practice records that, and the result,
- decisions and action items, with who is responsible,
- hearings and privacy matters in general terms only,
- the time of adjournment and the next meeting date.
They do not record the debate. See what BC law requires of strata minutes and what to leave out.
Questions councils and owners ask
How much notice is needed for a strata council meeting in BC?
Under Standard Bylaw 14, one week's notice to the other council members, stating the reason. Shorter notice is allowed if all members consent in advance or for an emergency.
Can owners attend strata council meetings?
Yes, as observers under Standard Bylaw 17(3), except for bylaw hearings and matters that would unreasonably interfere with someone's privacy. Your filed bylaws may differ.
What is quorum for a strata council meeting?
Under Standard Bylaw 16: 2 for a council of 2 to 4 members, 3 for 5 or 6, and 4 for 7.
Can a strata council meet by video call?
Yes. Standard Bylaw 17 allows electronic meetings if all council members and other participants can communicate with each other, and members attending that way count as present.
When must council meeting minutes go to owners?
Within 2 weeks of the meeting, whether or not they have been approved (Standard Bylaw 19).
Who chairs a strata council meeting?
Usually the president, or the vice president if the president is absent. The Standard Bylaws give the president a tie-breaking vote.
Council meetings, minuted the way the bylaws expect
Send us your notes or a recording after each council meeting and receive minutes with every motion, vote and decision recorded, in time for the two-week deadline.
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For a 30-lot strata, that is under $1 a lot each month. Have the strata pay: free council approval kit.
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
Meeting Agenda
How Often Council Must Meet
Observers
In Camera Council Meetings
Quorum Rules
When Minutes Must Go Out