The December 31, 2026 EPR deadline for Metro Vancouver stratas
Existing strata corporations with 5 or more lots in the Metro Vancouver Regional District must obtain an Electrical Planning Report on or before December 31, 2026. Islands reachable only by air or boat, such as Bowen Island, fall under the later December 31, 2028 date. Fraser Valley and the Capital Regional District share the 2026 date. The rest of BC has until December 31, 2028. The City of Vancouver is a member of Metro Vancouver. See the BC government EPR page (dated June 5, 2026) and Metro Vancouver member jurisdictions.
Who has to get one
Existing means the strata plan was deposited on or before December 31, 2023. Existing stratas with fewer than 5 lots on December 31, 2023 are exempt. The duty is Strata Property Act s. 94.1, added by Bill 22, the Strata Property Amendment Act, 2023. Section 94.1 and the EPR regulation (B.C. Reg. 261/2023, OIC 671/2023) came into force December 6, 2023. See the Strata Property Regulation ss. 5.7 to 5.9, Bill 22, OIC 671/2023, and the Courthouse Libraries BC proclamation note.
New and phased stratas
New stratas (plan deposited after December 31, 2023) with 5 or more lots have 5 years from deposit. Phased stratas follow their own timelines in Strata Property Regulation s. 5.9.
What an Electrical Planning Report covers
It helps the strata understand its electrical capacity and plan for EV charging and heat pumps without costly surprises. CHOA published an EPR guide and templates (updated May 2026), developed with BC Hydro, the BC Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and VISOA. See the CHOA EPR guide PDF.
The five things every EPR must include
- Current capacity
- A list of existing demands
- An estimate of peak demand and spare capacity
- An estimate of capacity needed for future demands such as EV charging and heat pumps
- Recommendations for managing and reducing demand
What an EPR is not
It is an overview, not a detailed design. It cannot by itself support installing new electrical loads. It is also not the same as an EV Ready Plan, though one provider can do both.
Who can write an EPR in BC
Only designated BC professionals. Which ones depends on whether the building is Part 3 or Part 9 under the BC Building Code. See Engineers and Geoscientists BC and Strata Property Regulation s. 5.10.
Part 3 buildings (condo towers and mid-rise)
An engineer or professional licensee engineering registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC), or an applied science technologist or certified technician registered with ASTTBC.
Part 9 buildings (small buildings)
The same professionals, plus a journeyperson construction or industrial electrician under the Skilled Trades BC Act. Part 9 means not more than 3 storeys and not more than 600 m2 footprint. Check with the local government if unsure.
The October 27, 2025 update
The list was expanded on October 27, 2025 to add professional licensees engineering and certified technicians.
Paying for the report and keeping it on file
The cost can come from the operating fund (in the budget, majority vote at the AGM) or the contingency reserve fund (majority vote at an AGM or SGM). The EPR is a permanent strata record and must be disclosed on the Form B Information Certificate when requested. If you are also updating a Surrey strata depreciation report, plan the two together.
Why the EPR matters for EV charging requests
Once the strata has its EPR, or the deadline has passed, the Act's process for owner EV charging requests applies. A request cannot be unreasonably refused and council must decide within three months.
How a free intro works
- You name the building, the work (EPR) and the timing.
- We match you with a vetted, qualified provider for that building type.
- We set up the intro.
The first intro is free. No commission.
Free quotes in exchange for a review
We line up 2 or 3 vetted providers to quote your EPR at no cost to you or the strata. If it saves you time, all we ask is a short review.
EPR questions from Vancouver strata managers
What is the EPR deadline for Vancouver stratas?
Existing strata corporations with 5 or more lots in the Metro Vancouver Regional District must get an Electrical Planning Report on or before December 31, 2026. Islands reachable only by air or boat, such as Bowen Island, have until December 31, 2028.
Does every strata need an Electrical Planning Report?
No. The rule applies to stratas with 5 or more lots. Existing stratas with fewer than 5 lots on December 31, 2023 are exempt. New stratas with 5 or more lots have 5 years from the date the strata plan was deposited.
Who can prepare an EPR for a condo tower?
Under the BC Building Code, Part 3 buildings include condo towers and mid-rise apartment blocks. For those, the report must come from an engineer or professional licensee engineering registered with EGBC, or an applied science technologist or certified technician registered with ASTTBC. A journeyperson electrician can only prepare EPRs for Part 9 buildings.
How can a strata pay for an EPR?
From the operating fund, if it is in the budget passed by majority vote at the AGM. Or from the contingency reserve fund, with a majority vote at an annual or special general meeting.
Is an EPR the same as an EV Ready Plan?
No. An EPR is a general overview of capacity and future demand. An EV Ready Plan details what is needed to put charging in every parking stall. The same provider can often do both.
Can we install EV chargers based on the EPR alone?
No. The EPR cannot inform the installation of new electrical loads. Before adding equipment, a qualified professional has to select it and confirm the capacity.
How does the free intro work?
Tell us the building, that you need an EPR, and your timing. We connect you with a vetted provider qualified for your building type. The first intro is free.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 2026.
Other strata services we set up intros for
- Vancouver strata roofing contractors
- Burnaby strata plumbing
- Surrey strata depreciation reports
- North Vancouver strata fire inspections
- Book a free intro
- Booked Intros home
Vancouver EPR research is written for electrical contractors. Vancouver strata electrical is the contractor intro page for electrical work.
Need an EPR before December 31, 2026?
Tell us the building, the work and the timing. We set up a free first intro with a vetted, qualified provider. Want to compare? We will line up 2 or 3 vetted providers to quote the job at no cost to you or the strata. All we ask in return is a short review.
Sources
- BC government: Electrical Planning Report (June 5, 2026)
- Strata Property Regulation, B.C. Reg. 43/2000
- Bill 22, Strata Property Amendment Act, 2023
- Order in Council 671/2023
- Courthouse Libraries BC: Strata Property Amendment Act, 2023
- Engineers and Geoscientists BC
- CHOA guidance for preparing strata EPRs (May 2026)
- Metro Vancouver member jurisdictions