If you live in or serve on the council of a strata corporation in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley, there is an important deadline approaching. Under BC’s strata regulations, many strata corporations are required to obtain an Electrical Planning Report (EPR). For existing strata corporations with five or more strata lots in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Capital Regional District, the deadline is December 31, 2026.
With the deadline getting closer, now is a good time for strata councils to understand what an Electrical Planning Report is, whether their strata needs one, and what steps they should be taking to prepare.
What Is an Electrical Planning Report?
An Electrical Planning Report helps a strata corporation understand the electrical capacity of its property today and how that capacity may need to change in the future. As more residents adopt electric vehicles, install EV chargers and use technologies such as heat pumps, the demand placed on a building’s electrical infrastructure can increase significantly.
An EPR provides information about the strata’s current electrical system, including its capacity, existing demands, estimated peak demand and available spare capacity. It also considers the electrical capacity that may be required to accommodate future demands such as EV charging and heat pumps.
The goal is to give the strata corporation better information for long-term planning and help it manage its existing electrical capacity while identifying potential future needs.
Does Your Strata Need an EPR by December 31, 2026?
Generally, existing strata corporations with five or more strata lots must obtain an Electrical Planning Report.
The December 31, 2026 deadline applies to strata corporations located in:
- Metro Vancouver Regional District, with certain island exceptions
- Fraser Valley Regional District
- Capital Regional District, with certain island exceptions
Existing strata corporations in other areas of BC generally have until December 31, 2028. New strata corporations established after December 31, 2023 generally have five years from the deposit of the strata plan to obtain an EPR. Different requirements can also apply to phased strata corporations.
If you are unsure which deadline applies to your strata, it is important to confirm your specific requirements rather than assume your strata is exempt.
Why Should Strata Councils Start Planning Now?
December 2026 may sound like there is still time, but waiting until the last minute could make the process more difficult.
As the deadline approaches, more strata corporations may be looking for qualified professionals to complete their reports. Starting earlier gives your council time to understand the requirements, find an appropriate provider, review the costs and arrange for the expense to be approved through the appropriate process.
The cost of an EPR can be paid from either the operating fund or the contingency reserve fund (CRF), subject to the applicable voting and budgeting requirements.
Planning ahead also gives your council time to communicate with owners about why the report is being completed and how it may support the strata’s long-term planning.
Who Can Prepare an Electrical Planning Report?
An EPR must be prepared by a qualified professional as defined by BC’s Strata Property Regulation. The professionals who may be qualified to complete the report depend in part on the type of building.
It is also worth considering how clearly the final report will communicate the findings. The EPR is not simply a document to obtain to meet a deadline. It can become an important reference for future councils, owners and potential purchasers.
What Happens to the Report Once It’s Completed?
The Electrical Planning Report becomes a permanent record of the strata corporation.
It must also be disclosed on the Form B: Information Certificate when requested by owners and prospective purchasers.
This makes the quality and clarity of the report particularly important. The information may be referenced for years as the strata considers electrical upgrades, EV charging infrastructure and other changes affecting the building’s electrical capacity.
How Does an EPR Relate to EV Charging?
One reason Electrical Planning Reports are becoming increasingly important is the growing demand for EV charging in strata properties. Once a strata has obtained its EPR, or once its deadline for obtaining one has passed, specific provincial requirements apply to the process for considering an owner’s request for EV charging infrastructure.
Among other requirements, an eligible request cannot be unreasonably refused, and the strata council must generally make a decision within three months. Having a clear understanding of the property’s electrical capacity can help councils make more informed decisions as demand for EV charging grows.
Don’t Treat the EPR as Just Another Deadline
An Electrical Planning Report is another requirement for many BC strata corporations, but it can also be a useful planning tool. Understanding your building’s electrical capacity today can help your strata make better decisions about tomorrow. Instead of responding to each new request or electrical need individually, the EPR can give the council a clearer picture of the building as a whole.
At Fort Park, we believe good strata management starts with practical guidance, clear communication and proactive planning. Staying ahead of changing requirements is one way strata councils can reduce last-minute challenges and help protect the long-term interests of their communities.
For official requirements and the latest information about Electrical Planning Reports, visit the Province of British Columbia’s Electrical Planning Report guidance.
If your strata is navigating new requirements or needs support with proactive planning and day-to-day management, Fort Park is here to help.
Contact Fort Park to learn how we can support your strata and help you plan for what’s ahead.