The short answer is yes — but it takes a certain kind of unit to do the job. In this guide, we'll explore the different kinds of car storage units, what dimensions are required to store a car, and a few best practices for storing any automobile.
In most cases, cars can fit in 10x20 storage units and larger.
5 Things You CAN'T Store in Self-Storage
These lists can be long but here's the short rule: If they can catch fire or explode, then they're a no-go. This includes gasoline, propane, oil, grease, chemicals, cleaners, aerosols, and paint.
Generally speaking, if a car sits without being driven for more than two weeks, technical difficulties may begin to surface. If you leave your car unattended for six months, you can inflict severe (and potentially irreparable) damage to your vehicle's engine.
A 10x20 vehicle storage unit provides enough space for common vehicles and is specifically designed for both short-term and long-term car storage. Before renting a storage unit, check with your local storage facility regarding motor vehicle storage policies.
Many cars can fit in a 10×20 self-storage unit, which so far this year has an average rental price of $139.59 per month. Trucks and smaller RVs can fit in a 10×30 unit, while 40-foot and up units can accommodate larger vehicles. Below are average prices for common vehicle storage sizes: 10×20: $139.59.
You can legally park the vehicle in a private driveway without plates or registration, but it is illegal to have it on a public street.
Automobiles. The smallest cars on the market might be able to fit into a 10×15 storage unit, but the vast majority of automobiles, including cars, SUVs, vans, and even some pickups, will fit into a 10×20 pretty easily. Some larger vans and trucks will require a 10×25 or a 10×30.
Gasoline can typically last about 3-6 months before becoming unusable. Gas goes bad because of water contamination and chemical deterioration. Signs that the gas has gone bad include a rough idling engine, stalling while speeding, and an illuminated check engine light. The gas could also smell sour and look darker.
Use an all-weather car cover if you cannot leave your car in a garage. Get the car washed and waxed before placing it in storage. Be sure to fill up the gas tank and add a gas stabilizer if you will be storing the car for more than 30 days. Use a battery tender to avoid having to jump-start the battery.
“State and local laws prohibit the residential use of storage units.” “For example, in California, the Health and Safety Code prohibits the use of self-storage units for human habitation, and violators can face fines of up to $1,000 and eviction from the facility,” Hoel says.
Bugs and rodents can be attracted to your unit and infest other units as well. Many times, when someone is sleeping in a storage unit, they are also eating in the unit. Food, crumbs, and/or trash can attract bugs or rodents.
Anything that is flammable, combustible, toxic, or otherwise hazardous cannot be stored in a storage unit.
In that case, you may wonder if you need insurance on a stored car. You're not legally required to have insurance coverage on a vehicle that's not driven on public roads. If the vehicle is damaged or stolen, however, you'll have to cover the costs out of pocket if it's not insured.
A repossession agent can't break into private property (storage shed, private storage facility, etc.) in order to repo a vehicle. It has to be out in the open.
Regular gasoline has a shelf life of three to six months, premium or high-octane fuel should last close to nine months, while diesel can last up to a year before it begins to degrade. On the other hand, organic-based Ethanol can lose its combustibility in one to three months due to oxidation and evaporation.
Fill Up Your Fuel Tank
Before any long-term storage, it's a good idea to fill your vehicle's fuel tank all the way to the top.
The time you can go without driving your vehicle depends on several factors, such as age, overall condition and where and how it is being stored. Generally speaking, letting your car sit unused for a few weeks or months is acceptable, but only if you prepare your vehicle in advance.
Depending on the facility, they'll either offer climate-controlled or non-climate-controlled indoor spaces. In order to store a vehicle in an indoor unit, the space MUST be a drive-up storage space. Indoor-access facilities will NOT be able to accommodate vehicles.
Unfortunately, almost every car is going to be too large to fit inside a 10' x 10' self storage unit comfortably. The only exception may be a smart car, as the measurements are smaller than 10' x 10'. To avoid causing damage to your vehicle during storage, always measure it to get the exact dimensions.
You cannot work on a car in a storage unit at any Extra Space Storage location. This goes against our vehicle storage guidelines. We require all vehicles stored at our self storage facilities to be in working condition. Additionally, we do not allow our storage units to be used as workshops.
But they can also just sit in a parking lot and run every plate they see. They do this to scan for dead plates, stolen vehicles, people with warrants, etc. So checking plates is a “valid reason” unto itself. It is something police should be doing.
There are no federal laws around parking in your own front yard, but it is outlawed in some states. For example, California State Law states that it is “unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in the front yard area of any residentially used lot or parcel of land, except in a paved driveway”.
Many neighborhoods and local municipalities have regulations in place that prohibit the storage of broken down or unregistered vehicles on residential properties. Violating these regulations can lead to legal issues and fines.