Skip to content

How to Start a Self Storage Business

Your step-by-step guide to planning, designing, and building a successful facility

Thinking about starting a self storage business?

If you’re wondering how to start a self storage business, you’re in good company. Every year, thousands of people across the U.S. look into joining this $40+ billion industry. But most don’t know where to begin, how much it costs, or what steps come first.

This page was built for you.

Whether you’re an investor looking for new income, a contractor taking on your first storage build, or a business owner ready to grow, MakoRabco helps you start a self storage business the smart way, without wasting time or money.

What You’ll Learn

We’ve organized everything into clear, simple steps. Here’s what you’ll take away from this page and our downloadable guides:

Illustrated self storage site planning diagram showing conceptual layout, unit mix organization, and building placement for new facility development.

Topic

What You’ll Learn
Feasibility & Site Selection How to choose the right market and property
Design & Layout Building types, unit mix, and square footage planning
Construction Costs How much it really costs (plus where you can save)
Vendor Selection What to look for in your builder or supplier
Forecasting & ROI Understand revenue models and break-even timeline

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a Self Storage Business

How much does it cost to start a self storage business?

Most single-story facilities cost between $45 and $65 per square foot. Multi-story builds with elevators or climate control can be over $100 per square foot. Costs also depend on your site, materials, and local labor rates. You’ll find example costs in our free scope sheets.

What’s the first step in starting a self storage business?

Start by researching your local market. You’ll want to find an area with growing demand and not too much competition. Our planning worksheet can help you figure out if your location is a good fit.

How long does it take to build a self storage facility?
Most builds take between 6 to 16 months, after permits/approvals, so factor an average of 12 to 24 months from start to opening day. This includes planning, permitting, and construction. Delays can happen with zoning approvals, weather, or design changes, so it’s good to plan ahead.
What permits or zoning rules do I need to know about?
Zoning rules vary by city or county. Some areas don’t allow storage buildings at all. Our Zoning and Permitting Guide gives tips on working with your local planning department and preparing a site plan that’s more likely to get approved.
What type of building should I choose?

That depends on your site, budget, and target market. You can choose from single-story, multi-story, boat & RV storage, conversion projects, and more. Our downloadable scope sheets explain the pros and cons of each.

Is self storage still a good investment?

Yes. The industry is still growing, and self storage often performs better than other real estate types. Investors typically see returns of 10% to 20%, depending on location and how well the business is managed.

Step 1: Research the Market and Choose the Right Location

Starting a self storage business begins with knowing who needs storage in your area. The right site can make or break your project. Look at the local population, the amount of new housing, traffic patterns, and how many storage facilities already exist.

The 2025 Self‑Storage Investment Forecast shows that many rural and suburban areas still have strong demand, especially where population growth is rising but storage options are limited.

Pro Tip: Stay away from crowded markets. Focus on zip codes with growing neighborhoods, steady home sales, or cities that have tight zoning rules. These areas often have higher demand and fewer competitors.

Step 2: Build a Solid Self Storage Business Plan

Every successful self storage business starts with a clear plan. Your business plan should answer these questions:

  • What type of facility are you building (single-story, climate-controlled, RV, etc.)?
  • How much will it cost to build and open?
  • How long until you start seeing profit?
  • What could go wrong, and how will you manage it?

To help, we’ve included a free planning worksheet in the download. It walks you through square footage, unit mix, and sample cost breakdowns so you can run your own numbers and avoid surprises.

Step 3: Know What It Costs to Build a Self Storage Business

Overall development costs can vary, but here’s what we see most often:

  • Single-story buildings usually cost $45–$65 per square foot
  • Multi-story buildings range from $70–$130+ per square foot, depending on elevators and climate control
  • Boat and RV storage have different needs. Canopy and enclosed styles are the most common

To help you choose the right option, we’ve put together detailed scope sheets. These show example costs, what each type is best for, and smart ways to save on design.

Available in the download:

  • Single Story
  • Multi-Story
  • Canopy Storage
  • Enclosed Boat & RV
  • Conversions
  • PEMB

These will help you plan your self storage business with real numbers and better confidence.

Step 4: Handle Zoning and Permits the Right Way

Zoning rules can make or break your self storage business. Some cities welcome storage builds. Others have tight restrictions.

We’ve helped clients in all 50 states deal with local codes, meetings, and paperwork. To make it easier, we created a Planning & Zoning Guide you can download. It includes:

  • Common zoning problems (and how to deal with them)
  • Questions to ask your local city planner
  • How to draw up a site layout that gets approved faster
  • Real permitting timelines and checklists from past builds

If this is your first project, this guide can save you months of back-and-forth.

Step 5: Design Your Self Storage Business to Make Money

Smart design isn’t just about how your facility looks. It’s about how well it works for your customers and your bottom line.

At MakoRabco, our engineers help you:

  • Pick the right unit sizes for your local market
  • Design driveways and aisles that work for trucks, trailers, and moving vans
  • Plan for drainage, ADA access, and other must-haves

We also offer smart entry systems utilizing Smartlocks, so your renters can access units with their phones. It adds security and makes your storage facility stand out.

Get Expert Help Starting Your Self Storage Business

Anyone can sell you a building. But that’s not enough.

At MakoRabco, we help you build a successful self storage business from the ground up. With over 3,500 projects completed across the country, we’ve seen it all and know what works.

Our in-house team walks you through every step, planning, design, and construction, so you’re never left guessing. You set the pace. We bring the experience.

Ready to Start Your Self Storage Business?

We’ve made it easy for you to take the next step.

Just fill out the short form below to get instantly get a link to the following downloads:

  • Planning Worksheet 
  • 2025 Self Storage Investment Forecast
  • An Introduction to Self Storage by the Self Storage Association
  • Get Through the Red Tape - Guide to Getting Through Zoning & Permitting
  • Single Story Self Storage Scope Sheet
  • Enclosed Boat and RV Storage Scope Sheet
  • Canopy Storage Scope Sheet
  • Multi-Story Self Storage Scope Sheet
  • Doors and Hallways Scope Sheet
  • Conversion Storage Scope Sheet
  • PEMB Scope Sheet
  • Passport Smartlock Info Sheet
  • Low-Cost Design and Engineering Services

Why Choose MakoRabco?

  • Our in-house engineers and designers work with you directly—no middlemen.
  • We’ve built over 3,500 self storage facilities across the U.S.
  • We understand local codes, zoning, and what works in your area.
  • Our team has decades of hands-on experience in self storage construction.

If you’re serious about starting a self storage business, we’re the team to trust.

No guessing. No shortcuts. Just the right plan, from the ground up.