Do Storage Units Have Electrical Outlets?

Different self storage unit renters need different things from their units, and you may be among the group that needs electrical outlets inside your unit. While every storage unit has some form of power running through it, not many facilities offer in-unit power for a number of reasons.

But more hobbyists and business owners are using self storage for workshops, art studios, band rehearsal spaces, construction contractor storage, and inventory management. And as a result, there’s a growing demand for electrical access, and storage facilities are rising to meet it.

That said, not all storage unit rental agreements allow hobbyists and business owners to work from their storage units. If you’re looking for self storage with electricity, you’ll have to hunt for it. 

This article covers why in-unit electricity isn’t a common feature of storage units–and what to look for if you need it.

We’ll reveal how to find storage with electricity using our signature SelfStorage.com storage search tool, and how other amenities like 24-hour access and climate-controlled units can enhance your working self storage space.

Why might I need a self storage unit with electricity?

There are lots of reasons why people need self storage units with electricity. Some of them have to do with business use cases. Others have to do with personal hobbies.

Business storage

For small business owners, the home also doubles as a storage space.  If you own a small business but need to get some of your inventory and equipment out of your home, a self-storage facility may be exactly what you need.

But finding the ideal self storage unit is about more than just finding the ideal storage unit size. Companies often require business storage to manage surplus inventory, marketing materials, or equipment.

While most standard self storage units are unpowered, some commercial self storage facilities offer specific units designed for business purposes, like an in-unit office space or order fulfillment center.

Business storage spaces are often a step up from basic storage, sometimes offering access to shared office space or common areas.

If your workload includes using battery-powered equipment or power tools, you’ll need electrical or maintenance experience with high-end electronics. 

But you’ll want to verify that the facility’s electrical infrastructure can support your specific load, and that the storage facility is zoned for business use,  before signing a long-term lease.

Personal storage

Personal storage needs are always evolving. For example, storing vehicles, like motorcycles, ATVs, or a boat, requires trickle chargers to keep batteries alive.

Even if you’re simply moving or downsizing, or using self storage during a home renovation, having an electrical outlet can be a game-changer for charging and testing tools. 

And artists often use artwork or electronic tools that need to be stored in a climate-controlled environment, as does the artwork itself. 

Climate-controlled self storage does more than meet your needs for temperature regulation. Climate control technology required electricity. So self-storage units are often built with more robust electrical systems than standard outdoor drive-up options.

Why don’t most storage units offer in-unit electricity?

The majority of self-storage facilities, while using electricity to power lights and climate control in their units, don’t offer plug-in outlets inside their storage units for a few possible reasons:

To keep prices down

Electricity is already a high cost. Providing electricity access in each storage unit to power chargers and other devices would increase the overhead significantly. 

For starters, it would take a detailed upgrade to a facility’s breaker panels and overall utility load. These upgrades would lead to higher rental prices for the tenants.

Maintaining a standard, basic storage model without electricity allows storage facilities to keep monthly rates competitive and accessible for the customers who simply need space for household goods.

To prevent people from living in units

Self-storage spaces are not zoned for human habitation. According to local zoning laws, these buildings are strictly for storage, not residential use. 

Providing power outlets inside a unit could inadvertently facilitate illegal living arrangements. Facilities prioritize security and safety by ensuring units remain dedicated to inventory rather than being treated as a living space or unauthorized office space.

Taking up residence in a storage unit is not only unsafe, but it’s also highly illegal.

Donnie Rand, Marketing Coordinator at American Association of Owner Operators, says: “Offering electricity in storage units could potentially encourage individuals to use these spaces as makeshift living quarters.”

She goes on to explain how installing power outlets inside a unit could accidentally encourage people to live inside their self storage space, creating a liability.

Storage facilities that aren’t zoned for business use can feel the same way. They ensure units remain dedicated to inventory rather than being treated as an authorized office space where business is being conducted.

To prevent fires and accidents

Without strict oversight, items like space heaters, high-voltage equipment, and unmonitored battery charging can overload power strips, or faulty chargers can quickly become major fire hazards.

Facilities also have to adhere to local codes and safety standards. David Clark, a personal injury trial lawyer and partner at The Clark Law Office, is aware of several fires started by electrical failures: 

“In 2017, an electrical short caused a fire at a self-storage facility in Lower Valley, El Paso. Another electrical fire in 2016 caused $200k worth of damage to a self-storage facility in Florida.”

The El Paso fire caused about $165,000 in damage and affected roughly 60% of the units. This fire started in the middle of the night and went unnoticed by the facility for hours before it was too late.

The potential to overlook fires is enough for many units not to provide power in their units.

Why don’t facilities with in-unit power usually advertise it?

While some self storage facilities provide power inside some of their units, they may not highlight it in their marketing materials. They don’t advertise their in-unit power for a few reasons, including the ones listed above–preventing people from living in units and avoiding the potential for costly accidents.

Lots of these facilities will offer specialized, powered units on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the facility manager.

The facility manager is to ensure that any in-unit power is used for appropriate items like dehumidifiers or battery maintainers. They can also say no to industrial equipment that could trip circuits or overheat the electrical infrastructure.

How can I find a storage facility that offers in-unit power?

There are plenty of clues that might tip you off to a self-storage facility that offers outlets in its units under certain circumstances. Look for a facility that advertises these amenities:

• Climate-controlled units. A facility with climate control represents a significant investment in its electricity, some of which may also be routed to certain units.
• A recently constructed storage facility. The newer the facility, the more likely it is to offer electricity.
• Indoor storage. It’s much safer and more cost-effective for a facility to run power through a single building than between several outdoor storage units. 
• Business storage solutions. Businesses tend to ask for electricity more than personal storage renters.

Facility owners often decide whether to rent out powered units based on the renter, so be sure to introduce yourself in person and be as clear and direct about what you’ll be using the unit for as possible.

Do storage units have lights?

Lots of self-storage facilities provide in-unit lighting, especially indoor facilities. If you’re seeking in-unit power to put lights in your unit, you can save quite a bit of money by opting for a facility that provides lighting without outlets.

Seek out a 24-hour storage or climate-controlled self storage facilities as their units often have lights to help you navigate the facility and your unit even after dark.

Do Storage Units Have Electrical Outlets? How SelfStorage.com Can Help Figure Out Which Storage Units Have Electricity. 

By now, you should have a pretty good idea of whether storage units have electrical outlets and which storage units have electricity. As you’ve seen, there are facilities that either don’t offer in-unit power or do but don’t advertise it. 

However, if you do your research carefully and present yourself as a reputable, low-risk customer, you may still be able to rent a unit with outlets in it–and if all you need is in-unit lighting, you should have no trouble finding a facility that offers it.

But electrical outlets aren’t the only options. Climate control is particularly important for long-term storage or if you live in an area with extreme temperatures or high/low humidity.

Self storage also comes in various unit sizes, which you can view on our storage size guide, with a ceiling height average of 8-10 feet tall.

SelfStorage.com lets you find self storage units with exactly the amenities you require, whether it’s lighting, climate control, or 24-hour access. Take a look at our search tool to compare units near you, or call to speak to one of our experts and get personalized help.