The 3/4 vote: what it means and what needs one

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

How it is counted

The definition has three parts.

• Votes cast. Only those who vote yes or no are counted.
• Present in person or by proxy at the time the vote is taken. Someone who left the meeting is not counted. Electronic attendees are deemed present.
• Not abstained. Abstentions are removed from the calculation.

The last row is the one that surprises owners: in a 100-lot building, nine people can pass a 3/4 resolution if only twelve vote, provided quorum was met. That is why the reconsideration rule below exists. Our vote calculator does the arithmetic.

What needs a 3/4 vote

The most common decisions:

• Amending the bylaws (section 128).
• A special levy shared by unit entitlement (section 108).
• Spending from the contingency reserve fund, except the items that need only a majority (section 96).
• A significant change in the use or appearance of common property (section 71), other than EV charging changes.
• Designating limited common property by resolution, or removing that designation (sections 74 and 75).
• Borrowing money (section 111).
• Authorizing a lawsuit by the strata as representative of the owners (section 171).
• Cancelling a strata management contract (section 39).
• Paying council members, if not approved in the budget or bylaws (section 34).
• Disposing of or acquiring land, and certain dealings with personal property (sections 78 to 82).
• Dealing with an operating surplus in a way other than the three the Act lists (section 105).
• Changing the fiscal year end (section 102).
• Spending from the operating fund on something not in the budget and not otherwise authorized (section 97).

In strata plans with both residential and non-residential lots, bylaw amendments need a 3/4 vote of each group separately, unless the bylaws provide otherwise for the non-residential lots.

What needs only a majority

Since the Act was amended, some contingency reserve fund spending needs only a majority vote: obtaining a depreciation report, repairs and replacements recommended in the most current depreciation report, obtaining an electrical planning report, and installing or managing EV charging infrastructure (section 96). A significant change to common property for EV charging also needs only a majority (section 71). The budget, the election of council, ratifying rules and removing a council member are majority votes too. See voting rules.

Notice and amendments

The proposed wording of any resolution requiring a 3/4 vote must be included in the notice of the meeting (section 45). At the meeting, the wording may be amended only if the change does not substantially alter the resolution and the amendment is approved by a 3/4 vote first (section 50). See motions and amendments.

The one-week reconsideration rule

Section 51 protects owners from decisions made by a small turnout. It applies when a 3/4 resolution is passed by people holding less than 50% of the strata corporation's total votes.

• The strata must not act on the resolution for one week, unless immediate action is needed to ensure safety or prevent significant loss or damage.
• Within that week, persons holding at least 25% of the strata's votes may demand, in writing and signed, a special general meeting to reconsider it.
• The strata must hold that meeting within four weeks. The resolution is the first item of business.
• If quorum is not present within half an hour, the meeting does not proceed and the original resolution stands.
• A resolution can be reconsidered this way only once.

So in the twelve-voter example above, the resolution passed, but it waits a week.

When a levy vote falls short

If a special levy for repairs necessary to ensure safety or prevent significant loss or damage gets more than half but less than 3/4 of the votes cast, the strata may apply to the Supreme Court for an order approving it as if it had passed (section 173). The application must be made within 90 days of the vote.

Questions councils and owners ask

Is a 3/4 vote three quarters of all owners?

No. It is 3/4 of the votes cast by eligible voters present in person or by proxy who have not abstained.

Do abstentions count as no votes?

No. Abstentions are left out of the calculation for majority and 3/4 votes.

Can a 3/4 vote resolution be added at the meeting?

No. Its proposed wording must be in the notice of meeting.

What percentage is a 3/4 vote?

75% of votes cast. 30 of 40 passes. 29 of 40 does not.

Can a failed 3/4 resolution be brought back?

Yes, at a later general meeting with proper notice. The Act does not set a waiting period.

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

Vote Calculator
Voting Rules
Unanimous and 80% Votes
Motions and Amendments
Special Levies
Amending Bylaws