By any measurement, zoning can be one of the biggest challenges for self-storage owners. However, there is one important exception. If the property is already zoned for self-storage, the owner’s life just got easier.

More often than not though, owners have to go through the zoning process, so here are a few tips on how to handle it:

• Ordinances and land use codes are different from city to city, county to county, and are constantly changing, so be prepared for it.
• Do not buy any parcel of land until it is zoned for self-storage. Otherwise, you could possibly go through an expensive and time-consummimg process.
• If you already own property and it is not zoned for self-storage, you have no alternative but to get it re-zoned, or get a varience or special use permit. Some zoning board members may have personal issues concerning self-storage. If you feel you are being unfairly treated, you may have to get the assistance of professionals such as a land use attorney, a self-storage consultant or an architect.
• Be prepared for your neighbors to have negative impressions about the self-storage industry. They may incorrectly associate self-storage with meth labs, criminal activity and ugly, orange doors. Take the time and effort to contact your neighbors by mail or email and let them know the postive aspects of the business. They need to understand that a storage facility is quiet, has little traffic, has no strain on utility usage, and provides good tax revenues.