The Growing Pushback Against Self-Storage

Self-storage has quietly become one of the most widely used real estate products in the country, with more than 12 percent of U.S. households renting space for overflow belongings. The sector continues to expand, fueled by life events like downsizing, relocation, and loss, as well as a lingering pandemic effect that reshaped how people use their homes. For many, these units hold more than excess items; they carry emotional weight, making it difficult to walk away even as costs rise.

At the same time, a growing number of cities are questioning whether storage facilities deserve such a prominent place in the built environment. Local officials argue that these buildings often consume valuable land while contributing little to street life, jobs, or housing supply. That tension has led to zoning restrictions, bans, and moratoriums in multiple markets, particularly in areas where land could support higher-impact uses. The friction is structural: customers want convenience and visibility, while planners want density and activity...

   ...more

RSK: I'd say that in our market it is about 50/50. But newer ones seem to have that facade to hide the actual storage units. I don't think self storage needs a highly visible location to be successful.