British Columbia · Strata Property Act

Do we have quorum for our general meeting?

Enter how many strata lots you have. Get the votes you need present — in person or by proxy — before any business can be conducted, and what happens if you fall short.

Who turned up (optional)

Quorum requires

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✓ Verified August 13, 2026 · Strata Property Act s. 48

Your own bylaws win. Section 48 sets this threshold "subject to the bylaws," and the adjournment rule applies "unless otherwise provided in the bylaws." A strata that has registered a different quorum bylaw follows that bylaw, not this number. Check your registered bylaws at the Land Title Office before relying on it. SPA s. 48(2), 48(3)

Where the number comes from

  • 1/3 of the strata corporation's votes — the default quorum, held by eligible voters present in person or by proxy. SPA s. 48(2)(a)
  • 2/3 of the strata corporation's votes — the higher threshold that applies because there are fewer than 4 strata lots or fewer than 4 owners. SPA s. 48(2)(b)
  • Rounded up to a whole vote — a fraction of a vote can't attend, so reaching "1/3 of the votes" means the next whole number up. Calculator's reading of s. 48(2)

If quorum isn't there, the meeting doesn't just fail

Section 48(3) sets out exactly what happens next.

  1. Wait 1/2 hour from the time the meeting was called for. If quorum still isn't present, the meeting stands adjourned.
  2. It reconvenes the same day in the next week, at the same time and, if applicable, the same place.
  3. At that reconvened meeting, wait another 1/2 hour. If quorum still isn't present, the eligible voters who are there — in person or by proxy — are the quorum, however few.

Strata Property Act s. 48(3), which applies unless your bylaws provide otherwise.

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What quorum actually requires

Quorum is the minimum turnout before your strata can do anything at a general meeting. Section 48(1) of the Strata Property Act puts it bluntly: business must not be conducted at an annual or special general meeting unless a quorum is present. Vote without one and the decisions taken are open to challenge.

The threshold itself is in section 48(2):

"Subject to the bylaws, a quorum for an annual or special general meeting is (a) eligible voters holding 1/3 of the strata corporation's votes, present in person or by proxy, or (b) if there are fewer than 4 strata lots or fewer than 4 owners, eligible voters holding 2/3 of the strata corporation's votes, present in person or by proxy."

Two details in that wording do real work. The fraction is measured against the strata corporation's total votes — not against how many owners are eligible on the day, and not against how many bothered to show up. And the votes have to be held by eligible voters, so a lot whose vote can't be exercised — for example where the strata has registered a lien under section 53(2) — doesn't help you reach the number.

Proxies count the same as bodies in the room. Section 48(2) says "present in person or by proxy" for both thresholds, so a well-organised proxy round-up is a legitimate way to reach quorum.

Where this calculator could be wrong for your strata

Section 48(2) opens with the words "subject to the bylaws," and section 48(3) applies only "unless otherwise provided in the bylaws." That is not boilerplate — it means a strata corporation can register a bylaw setting a different quorum or a different adjournment procedure, and that bylaw governs instead of the numbers on this page.

Quorum is not one of the Standard Bylaws in the Schedule to the Act. The Schedule's only quorum bylaw is bylaw 16, "Quorum of council," which governs council meetings and has nothing to do with general meetings. So the figure here comes from the Act itself, and the only thing that can displace it is your strata's own registered bylaws. Pull them and check before you rely on this.

Do proxies count toward quorum?
Yes. Section 48(2) counts eligible voters "present in person or by proxy" for both the 1/3 and the 2/3 threshold.
Why does the calculator round up?
Because a third of a vote cannot attend a meeting. To have eligible voters holding 1/3 of the votes, you need at least that fraction, so any remainder rounds to the next whole vote. With 10 votes, a third is 3.33 and quorum is 4. This is the calculator's reading of s. 48(2); the Act does not spell out a rounding rule.
When does the 2/3 threshold apply?
When there are fewer than 4 strata lots or fewer than 4 owners — either one triggers it. One person owning three of a four-lot strata can put you under the "fewer than 4 owners" branch even though there are 4 lots, which is why the owner count is worth entering.
We waited half an hour and still had no quorum. Now what?
The meeting stands adjourned to the same day the following week, same time and place. If quorum still isn't there within half an hour of that meeting, whoever is present in person or by proxy constitutes quorum and the meeting proceeds (s. 48(3)) — unless your bylaws say otherwise.
Is one vote per strata lot always right?
Usually, but not always. Section 53(1) gives each strata lot one vote "unless different voting rights are set out in a Schedule of Voting Rights." If your strata has one — most often where residential and non-residential lots are mixed — use your total vote count instead of your lot count.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's general information based on the current legislation, verified against the sources linked above. Your registered bylaws govern if they differ, and for anything contested, talk to a strata lawyer.