Can You Live in a Storage Unit?
Written by: StorageUnits.com Editorial Team - Updated: Dec 18, 2024
Living in a storage unit is illegal, dangerous, and a health hazard. Renters who consider living inside them either as a short-term emergency solution or as a permanent arrangement should be aware of the serious consequences they may face. Without proper ventilation, sanitation, and utilities, self-storage is a dangerous alternative to housing. Keep reading to learn more about the risks and potential legal issues of living in a storage unit.
Is Living in a Storage Unit Legal?
Although the consequences vary, living in a storage unit is illegal in every U.S. state. These units are designed to hold things — not people. They are neither zoned as residences nor up to housing codes. Living in them violates health, sanitation, and safety regulations. If caught, you (and the storage unit’s proprietor) could face substantial fines and potential jail time.
Depending on your contract, staying in a storage unit past its operating hours could qualify as trespassing. Trespassing is a serious offense with potentially long-term ramifications. You may face legal ramifications, loss of income, and lack of employment. Nearly all storage rental contracts contain clauses that forbid living in the units. Violating these storage unit laws would annul your contract, resulting in instant eviction for you and your possessions.
How Living in a Storage Unit Impacts Your Health
Most people don’t consider living in a self-storage unit a desirable or practical housing option — it’s often an attempt to solve an extreme housing crisis. While you may think you can handle the discomfort, living in a storage unit will likely be more unpleasant than anticipated.
Living in a storage unit poses serious mental and physical health risks due to:
- Cramped space
- Lack of natural light
- Insufficient sanitation
- Lack of electricity
Staying in a unit could interrupt your natural circadian rhythms, resulting in Vitamin D deficiency and other health problems. Living and eating close to where you eliminate waste without access to running water is undesirable and a major health concern. You would also experience extreme stress from the fear of getting caught, which can take a significant toll on your physical and mental health.
The Dangers of Living in a Storage Unit
Outdoor storage units without climate control are exposed to extreme summer heat and freezing winter conditions. Living in these conditions puts you at risk of hyperthermia or hypothermia, both of which can quickly become life-threatening.
Other potential dangers include:
- Lack of emergency exits: With no egress window and a door designed to be opened only from the outside, even a minor fire can turn fatal in seconds.
- Lack of ventilation: Without proper airflow, you’re vulnerable to environmental hazards like suffocation and toxic fumes.
- Chemical exposure: Limited ventilation increases the risk of chemical spills or toxic fumes, which could be deadly in a confined space.
- Carbon dioxide buildup: Breathing in carbon dioxide can cause serious health issues or even death.