M3 Zoning in Burnaby — Heavy Industrial District
M3 — Heavy Industrial District is a industrial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the accommodation of special types of industry and heavy industrial activities.
Intent of the M3 district
This District provides for the accommodation of special types of industry and heavy industrial activities.
M3 at a glance
| Max storeys (by right) | 4 |
|---|---|
| Zone category | Industrial |
Density tiers in M3
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Industrial District | 930 m² | — | — | — |
Permitted uses in M3
- All M2 uses (excl. retail building supply/residential sales centres)
- Drive-In Theatres
- General/Heavy Construction Contractors
- Heavy Machinery Sales/Repair
- Truck Terminals (per M6 regs)
- Welding Shops
- Flour/Grain/Feed Manufacturing
- Synthetic Fibres
- Lumber/Building Materials
- Metal Casting/Forging/Rolling
- Metal Refining
- Boilers/Structural Metals
- Petroleum/Coal Products
- Chemical Products (compressed gases, rubber, primary plastics)
- Cargo/Wharf Facilities
- Storage Yards
- Animal Training/Daycare
- Auto Wrecking/Junk Yards (M3a only, ≥30m from R/RM)
- Indoor Athletics ≥370m2 ≥6m ceiling (M3L only)
- Indoor Go-Kart Tracks (M3k only)
- Cannabis Production/Processing
- Emergency Shelters
- Fire Halls
- Accessory Buildings/Uses
M3 zoning FAQ
What is M3 zoning in Burnaby?
M3 (Heavy Industrial District) is a industrial zoning district in the City of Burnaby. This District provides for the accommodation of special types of industry and heavy industrial activities.
What can you build on M3-zoned land in Burnaby?
Permitted uses in M3 include All M2 uses (excl. retail building supply/residential sales centres), Drive-In Theatres, General/Heavy Construction Contractors, Heavy Machinery Sales/Repair, Truck Terminals (per M6 regs), among others. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
How tall can a building be in M3?
M3 permits a maximum of 4 storeys. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
Other industrial zones in Burnaby
- E1 — Employment District
- I1 — Industrial District
- I1a — Industrial District
- M1 — Manufacturing District
- M2 — General Industrial District
- M4 — Special Industrial
- M5 — Light Industrial District
- M6 — Truck Terminal District
Look up a specific address in Burnaby
Source: official Burnaby zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated August 2026