When small business owners look at storage units in Heber, they offer many features that business owners appreciate—affordable monthly payments and flexible leasing with no long-term commitment. It is an attractive offer. However, it is important to understand the clear distinctions between operating a business and using a storage unit to support it. The consequences of violation can be severe.
What You Can Legally Do
Fortunately for business owners, storage units still serve a purpose. Just know storage units serve that purpose in a supportive role.
Here are some of the supported, permitted uses of a storage unit:
- Storage of inventory: Storage units in Heber are used by online retailers and resellers to store their products, packaging supplies, and stock that is not out on display seasonally.
- Storage of equipment and tools: Construction workers, landscapers, and tradespeople use units in Heber to store tools and supplies between their work jobs.
- Storage of documents and assets: Storage units can be used to store records, displays, and business assets that are not needed on a daily basis.
- Storage of event supplies: Storage units can be used by event planners to store supplies, decorations, and furniture for events.
Just remember, you can store, but you cannot operate out of a storage unit.
Where the Rules Draw the Line
The majority of storage facilities do not allow the use of a storage unit as a workspace, office, or place of business. This is not a preference of the storage facility. This is the law and is supported by local zoning. The majority of properties in a storage unit are zoned for storage only. This means storage facilities do not allow the assembly of supplies, the hosting of clients, or the use of equipment and tools, regardless of a particular facility’s policies.
Read your lease when deciding to rent. Your agreement could be terminated if you break your lease. You should also know that most general storage insurance will not cover business inventory. You should invest in a commercial policy instead.
Better Options if You Need More
Running a business out of a storage unit in Heber is not a good idea. However, there are better options if you need more than a storage unit.
- Private Office or Co-working spaces – These are month-to-month agreements, so you can cancel at any time. These also come with a business address for you to receive mail.
- Flex or Lite Industrial Units – These can be used to work and store equipment.
- Home Office with Storage Units – This allows you to run your business and have your inventory and equipment in a storage unit.
This system allows you to save money while following the correct procedures.
The Right Tool for the Right Job
Using storage units in Heber to support your business is ideal; however, they should not be used as the primary space for your business. This is especially true for businesses such as e-commerce or contracting. However, if you want to be compliant and professional, you should pair a storage unit with a co-working space or a home office.