Can You Run a Business Out of a Storage Unit?
Can you run a business out of a storage unit? Yes—depending on what you mean by “run a business.” A storage unit can be an extremely useful home base for inventory, tools, equipment, materials, vehicles, trailers, and other business property.
For businesses that need more room or a more functional setup, Storage Kings also offers large storefront-style storage units and Shop Condos.
The important part is choosing a space that matches how your business actually operates.
A contractor who needs secure space for tools and equipment may be well suited for a traditional storage unit. A growing business that needs substantial inventory storage may benefit from one of our larger units. And a business that needs an office, bathroom, water, heating and air conditioning, and more room to work may be better suited for a Storage Kings Shop Condo .
At Storage Kings, businesses aren't limited to one type of space. We offer traditional storage, large storefront-style units, and Shop Condos, allowing you to choose the level of space and functionality you actually need.
What You Can and Cannot Do in a Standard Unit
A standard storage unit can work extremely well for the storage side of a business.
Depending on your business, you might use a unit to store:
- Tools and equipment
- Materials and supplies
- Business inventory
- Parts
- Seasonal equipment
- Marketing materials
- Displays and event supplies
- Work vehicles
- Trailers
- Records and other permitted business property
For a contractor, that could mean keeping tools, ladders, equipment, and materials together instead of filling a garage at home.
For an online or product-based business, it could mean keeping boxes and inventory organized in one location.
For a service business, it could provide a central place to keep equipment and supplies that employees need throughout the week.
Business storage doesn't mean every business activity is permitted inside a traditional storage unit. Your intended activity must be an approved use of the space.
A traditional storage unit should not automatically be treated like a retail store, office, manufacturing facility, repair shop, or other commercial workspace simply because you're storing business property there.
If you're unsure whether your intended business use is appropriate, talk with Storage Kings before renting.
Running a Business Out of a Storage Unit
For many small businesses, the biggest problem isn't finding an office.
It's finding space.
Your garage starts filling with tools. Inventory takes over a spare bedroom. A trailer sits in the driveway. Equipment gets spread across multiple locations. Eventually, you're spending time searching for things instead of working.
That's where business storage can help.
A storage unit can create one central location for the physical side of your operation. You can organize inventory, tools, equipment, materials, and other business property so they're ready when you need them.
And as your space requirements grow, Storage Kings offers much larger options than a typical small self storage unit.
That can give a growing business room to expand without immediately jumping into a traditional commercial property.
Large Storefront-Style Storage Units for Businesses
One of the biggest advantages Storage Kings can offer a business is the variety of large storage spaces available.
Our larger storefront-style options include sizes such as 18x50, 18x55, 20x50, and 24x55.
These spaces provide significantly more room than a traditional small storage unit and can be a strong alternative for businesses that need serious storage capacity without necessarily needing everything included with a Shop Condo.
A major advantage is access. These larger units feature a walk-through door next to the large overhead door.
That gives businesses a more convenient way to enter the space without opening the overhead door every time.
The large overhead door makes it easier to move vehicles, trailers, pallets, equipment, inventory, and other large items in and out.
The walk-through door provides convenient everyday access for people.
For the right business, that combination can make these units feel much more functional than traditional self storage.
What Businesses Can Use a Large Storage Unit?
Large business storage can work for many different types of operations.
Contractors are an obvious example. Construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping, painting, flooring, roofing, and similar businesses often accumulate tools, materials, trailers, and equipment faster than expected.
Large storage units may work well for businesses storing:
- Tools and equipment
- Inventory and products
- Materials and supplies
- Seasonal merchandise
- Event equipment and displays
- Furniture
- Parts
- Vehicles and trailers
- Other permitted business property
The question isn't necessarily what industry you're in.
It's what your business needs from the space.
If your biggest problem is simply that you've outgrown your garage, warehouse corner, spare room, or current storage setup, a large storage unit may provide the extra room you need.
Storage Units With Electricity for Businesses
Electricity can make business storage considerably more useful.
Storage Kings storage units have electricity, while several of our larger units offer greater electrical capacity.
Our 18x50, 18x55, and 18x24 units have 220-amp electrical service. Storage Kings Shop Condos also feature 220-amp electrical service.
That can be especially attractive to contractors and businesses that need storage for tools, equipment, vehicles, inventory, and other business property.
However, having electricity does not mean every type of work or electrical use is automatically permitted.
If you plan to use power for a specific piece of equipment, tool, charger, or business activity, talk with Storage Kings about your intended use before renting.
Business Storage for Contractors
Contractors can quickly outgrow residential storage.
A pickup and a few tools eventually become a trailer, additional equipment, materials, spare parts, and more inventory.
Instead of spreading everything between a home garage, driveway, truck, and job sites, a large storage unit can give your business a central location.
You can keep frequently used tools and equipment organized and have room for materials and supplies.
Large overhead doors are particularly useful when your business involves trailers, vehicles, or bulky equipment. With our larger storefront-style units, the additional walk-through door provides convenient access when you don't need to open the main overhead door.
For contractors who need more than storage, a Shop Condo provides another step up in functionality.
What Does a Shop Condo Add?
A Storage Kings Shop Condo is designed for customers who need substantially more functionality than a traditional storage unit.
Shop Condos include:
- 220-amp electrical service
- Heat and air conditioning
- Water
- Full bathroom
- Dedicated office space
- Large overhead door
- Month-to-month rental
That means your business can have room for equipment and inventory along with a dedicated office and additional features that aren't typically found in traditional storage.
For an approved business use, this can create an appealing middle ground between a traditional storage unit and taking on conventional commercial real estate.
You get a large, functional space without needing to purchase a commercial building.
Learn more about Storage Kings Shop Condos and the features they offer.
Shop Condos are for approved business uses and are not residential spaces.
Large Storage Unit vs. Shop Condo for a Business
Not every business needs a Shop Condo.
That's an important distinction.
If your primary need is space for inventory, equipment, tools, materials, trailers, or vehicles, one of Storage Kings' large storefront-style storage units may give you exactly what you need.
For example, an 18x50 or 18x55 provides a substantial amount of storage space along with a large overhead door and separate walk-through access.
If you need an actual dedicated office, full bathroom, water, heating and air conditioning, and 220-amp electrical service, then a Shop Condo may make more sense.
Think of It as Three Levels of Space
Traditional Storage Unit:
A practical option when your primary need is storing inventory, tools, equipment, materials, or other permitted business property.
Large Storefront-Style Unit:
Considerably more room, a large overhead door, and separate walk-through access for businesses that need serious storage capacity.
Shop Condo:
Adds features such as a dedicated office, bathroom, water, heat and air conditioning, and 220-amp electrical service for approved business uses.
The right answer depends on how you plan to use the space.
Can You Store Business Inventory in a Storage Unit?
A storage unit can be an excellent way to manage business inventory when the type of property and intended use are permitted.
This can be especially helpful for businesses that don't need a traditional retail storefront but need somewhere to keep physical products.
Instead of filling a home, garage, or office with boxes, you can create a dedicated inventory space.
Make business inventory easier to manage:
- Organize products by category.
- Use shelving where appropriate.
- Label boxes and containers clearly.
- Maintain aisles so inventory remains accessible.
- Keep frequently needed products within easy reach.
- Move into a larger unit before the space becomes overcrowded.
Storage Kings' month-to-month rentals can also give growing businesses flexibility as their space requirements change.
Can You Store Work Vehicles and Trailers With Your Business Equipment?
One advantage of larger storage units is the ability to accommodate much more than boxes.
Depending on the dimensions of the unit and your vehicle or trailer, you may be able to keep vehicles, trailers, equipment, tools, and supplies together in one large space.
Storage Kings offers large units with oversized overhead-door access that can be useful for businesses with substantial equipment and vehicle-storage requirements.
Always measure vehicles, trailers, and equipment before choosing a unit and confirm door clearance and permitted use with Storage Kings.
The goal is to have enough room to store everything safely while still being able to access what your business needs.
Business Storage in Fargo, ND
Storage Kings Fargo offers some particularly large options for businesses that have outgrown traditional small storage.
Available unit types and sizes vary, but Fargo options include large spaces such as 18x50, 18x55, 20x50, and 24x55, along with Shop Condos.
For many businesses, these larger units can provide the missing step between a basic storage unit and a full Shop Condo.
You get substantial square footage, a large overhead door for equipment and vehicles, and a separate walk-through door for convenient everyday access.
If your needs go beyond storage, a Shop Condo adds an office, bathroom, water, heating and air conditioning, and 220-amp electrical service.
That means you don't have to start your search by asking, “Do I need a Shop Condo?”
Start by asking, “What does my business actually need?”
Then choose the space that fits.
Explore business storage options or view our Fargo storage location to learn more.
Month-to-Month Business Storage
One of the challenges with traditional commercial space can be the commitment.
A growing business may know it needs more room today without knowing exactly what it will need a year from now.
Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals, including our Shop Condos.
That flexibility can be valuable when your inventory fluctuates, your equipment needs change, you're taking on a temporary project, or your business is simply growing.
Instead of choosing a space based on what you might need years from now, you can focus on what makes sense for your operation today.
Can You Run a Business Out of a Storage Unit at Storage Kings?
Yes—but the right way to do it depends on your business.
If you need somewhere to keep inventory, equipment, tools, materials, vehicles, or trailers, a traditional or large storage unit may be a great fit.
If you need substantially more room, consider one of our large storefront-style 18x50, 18x55, 20x50, or 24x55 spaces with a large overhead door and separate walk-through door.
And if your business needs an office, bathroom, water, heating and air conditioning, and greater overall functionality, a Storage Kings Shop Condo may be the better solution.
Start With What Your Business Needs
Tell us what you need to store and how you intend to use the space. We'll help you compare available options and determine which type of Storage Kings space makes the most sense for your business.
Find the Right Storage Unit
Compare current Storage Kings availability and find the size and storage type that fits what you need to store.
