Can You Use a Storage Unit As a Workshop?
Are you a maker? Do you like to put together artistic creations? Perhaps you enjoy woodcarving, or you create gadgets out of metal and gears. Maybe your hobby is 3D printing, and you design figurines, miniatures, or toys.
All these things are fun, but are easier with a workshop. Most of us don’t have an entire room at home to dedicate to such a hobby. You might have to do your woodworking on your porch, or have a noisy 3D printer set up in your living room. If so, you may long for a dedicated room to pursue your craft.
The Self Storage AngleSo, can you use a storage unit as a workshop?
We’re sorry to tell you this, but the answer is usually no.
Cities don’t zone storage facilities for this sort of commercial use. You can store your business inventory in a unit, but you can’t set up an office, let alone a shop for crafts. Most units don’t have electrical outlets, just a light, so you can move things in and out and organize your unit. They don’t have proper ventilation or air conditioning for people, either.
In rare cases, you may find a self storage facility that has converted its units to usable office space. Some facilities have changed their business platform, made their units safe for people to work in, and opened them for use as workspaces, but they’re tough to find and there’s a good chance you won’t find any near you.
Alternatives
You may have businesses near you that rent out various types of workshop space. A good way to find these is to search for “workshop space near me” or “rent workshop space” on Google.
There’s a good chance you’ll find a few places in your city or nearby. These companies usually rent space and use of their equipment by the hour, though you may find one that you can join as a member and save money.
For example, in Costa Mesa, California, Urban Workshop has reasonably priced membership packages that allow residents to use their spaces and equipment for automotive, assembly, arts and crafts, ceramics, welding, woodworking, prototyping, and many other types of projects. Membership comes with discounts on materials. This site also runs maker classes for all ages.
Urban Workshop is one of the biggest workshop space sites in the United States, but it’s not alone. We encourage you to look for a spot like this in your area.
