diff --git a/gatehouse_app/api/v1/organizations/members.py b/gatehouse_app/api/v1/organizations/members.py
index cfbe8ae..841ec25 100644
--- a/gatehouse_app/api/v1/organizations/members.py
+++ b/gatehouse_app/api/v1/organizations/members.py
@@ -56,7 +56,10 @@ def add_organization_member(org_id):
 @full_access_required
 def remove_organization_member(org_id, user_id):
     org = OrganizationService.get_organization_by_id(org_id)
-    OrganizationService.remove_member(org=org, user_id=user_id, remover_id=g.current_user.id)
+    try:
+        OrganizationService.remove_member(org=org, user_id=user_id, remover_id=g.current_user.id)
+    except ValueError as e:
+        return api_response(success=False, message=str(e), status=403, error_type="OWNER_PROTECTION")
     return api_response(message="Member removed successfully")
 
 
diff --git a/gatehouse_app/services/organization_service.py b/gatehouse_app/services/organization_service.py
index fdf9953..c255513 100644
--- a/gatehouse_app/services/organization_service.py
+++ b/gatehouse_app/services/organization_service.py
@@ -379,6 +379,15 @@ class OrganizationService:
             logger.debug(f"[Org] Member removal: org_id={org.id}, user_id={user_id}, found={member is not None}")
 
         if member:
+            if member.role == OrganizationRole.OWNER:
+                owner_count = OrganizationMember.query.filter(
+                    OrganizationMember.organization_id == org.id,
+                    OrganizationMember.role == OrganizationRole.OWNER,
+                    OrganizationMember.deleted_at.is_(None),
+                    OrganizationMember.user_id != user_id,
+                ).count()
+                if owner_count < 1:
+                    raise ValueError("Cannot remove the only owner from an organization. Transfer ownership first.")
             member.delete(soft=True)
 
             # Log member removal