How to Get the Strata's Official Bylaws
- Suzanne Byfield-Malcolm
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
HOW CAN AN OWNER GET AN OFFICIAL COPY OF THE STRATA'S BYLAWS?
The Strata is required by the Strata Property Act to have a copy of the current bylaws and to make them available for inspection or copying by an Owner. However, in our experience Strata's often have incorrect copies of the Bylaws because the version they have either has not been filed with the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) or is 'consolidated' but not voted on. The official copy of the Strata's bylaws is the version that has been registered with the LTSA.
WHY WOULD AN OWNER WANT AN OFFICIAL COPY OF THE STRATA'S BYLAWS?
The official copy of a Strata's bylaws is the copy that has been registered with the LTSA and an Owner should always get a copy from the LTSA when it is important that the Owner have a current and official copy. The LTSA also will have copies of all prior versions of the bylaws and this can sometimes be useful to an Owner.
This guide explains how to retrieve registered strata bylaws from the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) using the myLTSA online system. Strata bylaws are accessed through an Index Search (Strata Plan General Index) and can be viewed, purchased, and downloaded once it is located. A valid LTSA account is required, and fees apply for searches and document purchases.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO GET A STRATA'S BYLAWS FROM THE LTSA?
Log in to myLTSA account using your credentials.
Navigate to Index Search and select “Index Search” from the dropdown menu.
Enter your internal file reference number if that would be useful. A reference number can help you track the search and order in your LTSA account.
Confirm that the Search Type is “Strata Plan General Index” (this is the default option).
Enter Search Criteria that is either the Strata Plan Number (e.g., LMS #### or EPS ####) or the Parcel Identifier (PID). If you are unsure how to get the PID see our article on how to retrieve the PID for a property.
Submit the Search by clicking “Purchase” to run the Index Search. A search fee applies, even if no documents are returned.
Review the Index Search Results page. You may click “Print Page” to print the results list if it would be useful. This is a list of filed documents and may include:
Strata bylaws (including multiple filings of amendments).
Mailing Address (see our article on the Strata Mailing Address).
Designations of Limited Common Property (see our article on Limited Common Property)
Select the Bylaw Document of multiple bylaw documents. It is important to realize that the LTSA records all Bylaws and Bylaw Amendments filed through a Form I (see our article on Form I for more information). The Index Search Results shows the number of pages for each Bylaw Document and this can indicate whether a particular filing is a consolidation of the bylaws or if it is only a small amendment. For example, if a Bylaw Document is only 1-5 pages, it is likely only an amendment. It is important to retrieve all Bylaw Documents from the most recent consolidation to the present, and to remember that bylaws that the copy of a document filed with the LTSA is not amended if a bylaw in a set of bylaws is repealed, amended, or replaced.
Review the list carefully and check the box beside the bylaw document you want.
Preview the Bylaw Document prior to purchasing it (this is optional but recommended).
Purchase the Bylaw Document by clicking "Purchase" to complete the order. The Bylaw Document will be delivered to your LTSA Account Inbox. If email forwarding is enabled, it will also be emailed to the provided email address.
Download and Print the Bylaw Document.
Open the purchased document from your LTSA inbox.
Download and/or print a copy for your records.
