Strata Plan

A strata plan is the registered survey document filed at the BC Land Title Office that legally creates a strata corporation under the Strata Property Act, SBC 1998, c. 43. It shows the boundaries of each strata lot, common property, limited common property, and any parking or storage strata lots. The strata plan number appears on the Certificate of Title for each strata lot and defines the legal boundaries of ownership.

A BC Land Surveyor prepares the strata plan in accordance with the Strata Property Act and the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996, c. 250. The developer (owner-developer) files the strata plan at the Land Title Office to subdivide the land into strata lots and common property. Verify filing requirements and current procedures with a BC lawyer or notary before proceeding.

Under the Strata Property Act, the strata plan shows the boundaries and dimensions of all strata lots, common property, and limited common property designated for the exclusive use of one or more strata lots. It identifies the strata lot numbers, unit entitlements, and may designate parking stalls, storage lockers, or other amenities as strata lots or limited common property. The plan is a legal land survey document and forms part of the registered title.

Strata plans are registered at the BC Land Title Office and can be searched and viewed through the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) online portal at ltsa.ca. The strata plan number appears on your Certificate of Title. Your conveyancing lawyer or notary will typically obtain a certified copy of the strata plan as part of the title search before closing.

Under the Strata Property Act, a strata lot is the individually owned unit or parcel shown on the strata plan, while common property is the land and portions of the building not part of any strata lot and owned in common by all owners as tenants in common in shares proportional to their unit entitlements. Limited common property is common property designated on the strata plan for the exclusive use of one or more strata lots (for example, a balcony or parking space). Verify the specific designations on your strata plan with a BC lawyer or notary.

Yes. Under the Strata Property Act, a strata plan may be amended by filing an amendment or an amended strata plan at the Land Title Office, subject to the approval of the strata corporation (typically by resolution at a general meeting) and the consent of affected strata lot owners or other parties with registered interests. Amendments may add, remove, or reconfigure strata lots or change the designation of limited common property. Verify current amendment procedures and resolution thresholds with a BC lawyer or notary before proceeding.

Unit entitlement is a whole number assigned to each strata lot on the strata plan under the Strata Property Act and is used to calculate each owner's share of common property, common expenses, and votes at general meetings (unless the bylaws provide otherwise). The unit entitlement is typically based on the habitable area or appraised value of the strata lot and is shown on or schedules attached to the strata plan. Verify the unit entitlement calculation method for your strata corporation with a BC lawyer or notary.

Yes. As part of the title search and due diligence before completion, a BC conveyancing lawyer or notary reviews the strata plan to confirm the legal boundaries of the strata lot, verify the designation of common property and limited common property, and ensure the plan matches the contract of purchase and sale. The strata plan is a registered document forming part of the title under the Land Title Act. Verify this step is included in your retainer with your lawyer or notary.

Limited common property is common property designated on the strata plan or by amendment, under the Strata Property Act, for the exclusive use of one or more strata lots (for example, a parking stall, storage locker, balcony, or patio). It is legally owned by all owners as tenants in common, but only the designated strata lot owner(s) may use it. The strata plan or schedules identify each area of limited common property and the strata lot(s) entitled to use it.

Yes. Under the Strata Property Act, parking stalls and storage lockers may be designated on the strata plan as separate strata lots with their own unit entitlement and Certificate of Title, or they may be designated as limited common property for the exclusive use of a particular residential strata lot. The designation affects ownership, financing, and transfer rights. Verify the designation of your parking stall on the strata plan with a BC lawyer or notary before purchasing or selling.