Industrial is defined as:
- Light and heavy industrial production (e.g. cement manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, metalwork and fabrication, sawmills)
- Distribution (e.g. warehousing, industrial storage, freight trucking, intermodal couriers)
- Repair (e.g. autobody shops, truck and trailer repair, consumer goods repair)
- Construction materials and equipment (e.g. building supplies and specialty trade contractors, heavy equipment rental and leasing)
- Infrastructure (e.g. public utilities such as wastewater treatment facilities and pumping stations, works yards, rail / port terminals)
- Outdoor storage activities (e.g. container storage)
- Wholesale (e.g. merchant and logistics wholesalers)
In Metro-Vancouver market there is a shortage of Industrial properties for sale. Land suitable for Industrial development is in high demand due a critical shortage. Those are due to steady population and economic growth, the constrained geography of the region, and to land availability due to zoning, agricultural land regulations, and other constraints.
Across the region, municipal policies and bylaws vary in terms of what uses are permitted within industrial and employment zoning. For example, some municipal bylaws limit permitted uses to more traditional industrial activities, such as manufacturing, warehousing and distribution logistics, while others provide more flexibility to accommodate a range of uses, such as commercial, places of worship, and indoor recreation.