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Renovation Approval Readiness Check

Planning a renovation in a strata building? Answer five questions and get a checklist of the approvals, permits and documents to confirm before work starts, with the source behind every BC rule.

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Updated

Choose the answers that fit. Your checklist updates as you go.

Where is the property?
What kind of property is it?
What is your role?
What will the work involve?

Select everything that applies.

Your checklist

Answer questions 01 to 04 to build your checklist.

Why original flooring and fixtures can need approval

Most people expect strata approval only for structural or exterior work. Under BC’s Standard Bylaws, an owner also needs the strata corporation’s written approval for alterations involving the parts of a strata lot that the strata corporation must insure.[1] The Strata Property Act requires the strata to insure fixtures built or installed by the owner developer as part of the original construction,[5] and the Strata Property Regulation defines fixtures to include floor and wall coverings and electrical and plumbing fixtures.[6] So replacing the original floors or bathroom fixtures can need written approval even though nothing structural changes, if your strata uses the Standard Bylaws.

What this check does, and what it does not

  • It lists what to confirm and with whom: your strata’s bylaws and council, your municipality, and Technical Safety BC.
  • It does not read your strata’s filed bylaws, which can differ from the Standard Bylaws, and it cannot tell you whether a permit will be issued.
  • Legal references cover British Columbia. Elsewhere it gives general preparation steps and points you to the rules that apply.
  • It is general information, not legal advice. If a decision is disputed, the Civil Resolution Tribunal handles most strata disputes in BC.[15]

For the full picture of how approval works, read Strata renovation approval in British Columbia, and when the work is finished, use the closeout and records checklist.

Sources

  1. Strata Property Act, Schedule of Standard Bylaws, ss. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 18, 19. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  2. Strata Property Act, Part 7 — Bylaws and Rules, ss. 120, 121, 125, 128. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 8, 2026.
  3. Strata Property Act, Part 5 — Property, ss. 70, 71, 72. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 8, 2026.
  4. Strata Property Act, Part 4 — Finances and Records, ss. 35, 36. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  5. Strata Property Act, Part 9 — Insurance, s. 149. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  6. Strata Property Regulation, B.C. Reg. 43/2000, ss. 4.1, 9.1. BC Laws (King’s Printer). Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  7. Bylaws and rules explained, Strata housing. Government of British Columbia. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  8. Common property and limited common property, Strata housing. Government of British Columbia. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
  9. Before you start building or renovating, Building permits. Government of British Columbia. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
  10. When you need a permit, Example of one municipality. City of Vancouver. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  11. Homeowner electrical permits, Eligibility. Technical Safety BC. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  12. Homeowner gas permits, Eligibility. Technical Safety BC. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  13. Local governments that issue their own permits, Jurisdiction. Technical Safety BC. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
  14. OHS Regulation Part 20, s. 20.112 — Hazardous materials, s. 20.112. WorkSafeBC. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  15. Strata Solution Explorer, Civil Resolution Tribunal Act, s. 121. Civil Resolution Tribunal. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
  16. Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 19, s. 98. Ontario e-Laws. Checked Oct 8, 2026.

The work ends. The knowledge stays.

eSwaF connects residents, councils, property managers and professionals around one property, so approvals, documents, inspections and decisions remain with it.

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