What is a Strata? [Strata 101 Series]

Updated July 31, 2026

Strata is a form of property ownership in British Columbia where individuals own their unit (known as a strata lot) while sharing responsibility for common property such as lobbies, parking areas, roads, and amenities with all other Owners in the community. With over 34,000 Strata Corporations across the province, strata living is one of B.C.'s most popular forms of ownership. But what many people don't realize is that a strata isn't defined by how a building looks — it's defined by its legal structure. 

A tower in Vancouver? A townhome in Abbotsford? A house in Kelowna? These could all be strata, or none of them could be. Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, the true nature of a community lies beneath the surface. A Strata Corporation isn't defined by its façade, but by the legal framework that brings Owners together to manage and care for their shared spaces.

This guide explains the essentials of strata, describes the different types, outlines relevant legislation, and clarifies the role of the Strata Corporation. 

What Types of Stratas Exist in B.C.?

There are three main types of stratas in B.C.: residential, commercial, and mixed-use. From towers to townhomes to vacation properties, they come in more shapes and setups than most people expect, and they don’t always look the part. 

• Residential Strata – Comprised solely of residential strata lots (such as an apartment-style tower)
• Commercial Strata – Comprised solely of commercial or business strata lots (such as a retail plaza)
• Mixed-Use Strata – Comprised of both commercial and residential strata lots (such as an apartment-style tower with ground-floor office spaces)
  
  

Residential Strata Styles

Strata living isn’t one-size-fits-all—different residential styles are designed to suit very different lifestyles. These styles can include: 

• Traditional Strata

When people think of strata communities, they commonly think of apartment-style towers first. This type of “traditional” strata can be low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise towers. It can also include row townhouses, duplexes, 4-plexes, 8-plexes, and more. These traditional stratas may have lobbies, elevators, parking lots as common property or common assets.  

• Bare Land Strata or Strata Subdivision 

In a bare land strata, the land parcel is the strata lot and not the residence. Owners own both the lot and the structure (often a single-family home) on it.  A bare land strata is essentially a hybrid between owning a detached home and being part of a strata community. In a bare land strata, common property and assets can consist of shared roads, utilities, and amenities such as a recreation centre.

• Resort and Hotel Stratas 

These strata types include vacation homes, seasonal residences, and hotel-style properties typically located near tourist hotspots such as ski hills, golf courses, or lakes. Common areas and assets may feature clubhouses, docks, and amenities found in traditional stratas. In strata-titled hotels, individual owners purchase units that are operated by hotel programs, often renting their units through an agreement with a hotel operator. Both types offer shared services and facilities, blending leisure living with collective ownership. 

• Leasehold Strata

A leasehold strata property is where the Strata Corporation (the Strata Owners collectively) own a building and/or structures but lease the land it sits upon. The land typically belongs to the government or a First Nations group and requires a contract as a means of leasing the land to live on. Owners must sign a contract (commonly lasting 50-99 years) however lease terms vary, so buyers should review their lease documents carefully to understand the renewal process. 

Commercial Strata Styles 

Stratas aren’t just for residential living; many businesses also operate within shared ownership communities. The most common types are: 

• Retail - shops and restaurants. 
• Offices – professional offices like a dentist or doctor 
• Industrial – warehouses for storage or distribution.  

The Strata Property Act governs commercial Strata Corporations just as it governs residential Strata Corporations. 

What is a Mixed-Use Strata? 

A mixed-use strata will include a mixture of the residential and commercial types detailed above. A Strata Corporation may create sections or different types (like a mini-Strata Corporation) to represent the interests of different Owners in a mixed-use Strata Corporation. For example, Developers may create sections to distinguish residential strata lots from commercial retail strata lots. 

With these different forms and styles, how do you tell what is and isn’t a strata?  Remember, we can’t judge a book by its cover, or a community by how it looks. To determine if a community is a strata community, we must dig deeper and look at its ownership, governance, and legal structure. 

 What is a Strata Corporation?

While Owners hold individual titles, it’s the Strata Corporation that brings the entire community together. Registering a strata plan at the Land Title Office and Survey Authority (LTSA) creates a Strata Corporation as a legal entity. When someone (usually the Property Developer) submits a Strata Plan to the LTSA, the LTSA will assign a number to the Strata Corporation. This number becomes the legal identity of the Strata Corporation.  

Let’s use EPS1234 as a fictional example of a number. When the Land Title Office and Survey Authority assign a number to the Strata Corporation during Strata Plan registration, the Corporation’s legal name becomes: The Owners, Strata Plan EPS1234. 

Once registered, the Strata Corporation is able to operate as its own legal entity. This means that the elected Council can represent all the Owners and can make decisions and sign contracts on behalf of the Owners. 

What is a Strata Plan? 

If you want to understand who owns what in a strata community, the answer always starts with one document. The strata plan is a detailed map showing where each strata lot is, as well as all common property and limited common property in a community. This important document clearly defines which parts of the community all Owners (the Strata Corporation) collectively maintain and which areas each individual Owner is responsible for in their Strata Lot.

The Strata Plan along with the schedule of unit entitlement are key factors in determining your monthly strata fee. 

A note: For Strata Corporations registered prior to July 1, 2000, the “Schedule of Unit Entitlement”, is found on the Strata Plan as “Form 1”. For Strata Corporations registered on or after July 1, 2000, the “Schedule of Unit Entitlement” is a separate document called a “Form V”. 

What are the Strata Property Act & Regulations?

The Strata Property Act is the legal framework that governs the creation, management, and operation of all Strata Corporations. It covers important information about governance, records, contracts, meetings, voting, property, finances, bylaws, insurance and more. Strata living comes with structure and much of it is set by this provincial legislation. 

It also includes the Schedule of Standard Bylaws which are in place for any community that has not revised or replaced the standard bylaws by passing a resolution at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or Special General Meeting (SGM). You can learn more about Strata Bylaws in BC by checking out our Strata 101 Series.

However, it’s more than just the Strata Property Act that sets out the legal requirements for Strata Corporations. In addition to the Act, there are many sources of information which interact with each other including: 

• Strata Property Regulations
• Strata Property Bare Land Strata Regulations
• Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
• The Bylaws and Rules specific to each Strata Corporation 

Strata Owners can subscribe to the Government of B.C.’s strata housing website to receive notification of changes to the Act or Regulations.

Furthermore, Strata Councils and Owners should keep in mind any other municipal, provincial, or federal legislation that can interact with the ones detailed above, including but not limited to: 

• The Human Rights Code

• Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)

•  Real Estate Services Act (RESA)

Understanding all the requirements for your Strata Corporation is important to ensure it can thrive and succeed.  A licensed Strata Manager can provide valuable guidance to your Strata Council in navigating these matters. If legal advice is needed, your Strata Manager will support your Council and your Corporation’s lawyer.  It is important to note that your Strata Manager cannot provide legal advice as per their licensing requirements.  

Conclusion

Strata communities offer a unique blend of individual ownership and collective responsibility. Whether you’re considering a high-rise in Vancouver, a townhome in Kelowna, or a bare land subdivision in Abbotsford, understanding the fundamentals of strata is essential.  

The variety of strata types—residential, commercial, mixed-use—and the range of community styles mean that no two strata experiences are exactly alike. What unites them is their legal structure; a framework that includes the Strata Plan, Bylaws, and the Strata Property Act and Regulations.  

So next time you walk past a tower, townhouse, or lakeside retreat, remember: the real story of strata living is written in the fine print, not just the façade. You truly can’t judge a book—or a building—by its cover. 

Why Work with a Professional Strata Management Company? 

Navigating the complex world of strata along with the unique needs of your community can be a lot, even for the hardest working Strata Councils. That’s where a professional Strata Management can help. An expert Strata Manager can assist with everything from property maintenance to administration, to financials, and more.  

At Tribe Management, we believe effective governance, clear communication, and proactive planning are what builds strong communities. Read more about our modern approach to strata management and contact us to learn how it can benefit your community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Strata Communities

What is a strata in B.C.? 

A strata is a legal form of property ownership where individuals own their strata lot and share responsibility for common property such as hallways, parking, roads, and amenities. In B.C., a property is considered a strata based on its legal structure, not what the building looks like.

Strata vs. Condo: What’s the Difference?

 In everyday conversation, people often use terms like “apartment,” “condo,” or “townhome” to describe where they live. But in British Columbia, what really matters isn’t the label but the ownership structure behind it.  

In simple terms, “strata” refers to how a property is owned and governed, while terms like “condo” or “apartment” are usually used to describe the style of home or how it looks. 

How do you know if a property is a strata? 

You cannot confirm whether a property is a strata just by looking at it. The best way to know is to review the legal documents, especially the registered strata plan and related ownership records. 

What do you own in a strata? 

In a strata community, you usually own your individual strata lot while sharing ownership and responsibility for common property with the other owners. Common property can include spaces such as lobbies, elevators, parking areas, roads, and amenities. 

The strata plan helps show what is part of your strata lot, what is common property, and what may be limited common property assigned to certain owners. 

Can a detached house be part of a strata?

Yes. In B.C., some detached homes are part of a bare land strata, where the lot is the strata lot and Owners also share responsibility for common property such as roads, utilities, or amenities. This is why legal documents matter more than appearance when identifying a strata. 

What documents define a strata property? 

The key documents are the registered strata plan, the bylaws and rules, and related records such as the schedule of unit entitlement. Together, these documents help define ownership boundaries, common property, voting and governance, and how costs are shared within the strata.