What is not allowed in a storage unit?
Last updated October 2026
Hazardous and flammable items, food, animals, and plants are banned at almost every facility. Most leases also limit weapons, high value items, and what you can plug in.
Items
Public Storage says not to store “hazardous materials, flammable items, explosives, or items that release fumes.” Storelocal gives examples: “gasoline, propane, kerosine, paint, cleaning chemicals, aerosol cans, acids, and fertilizers.”
Other common bans:
- Food and anything perishable
- Animals, plants, and other living things
- Wet items
- Illegal goods
Weapons rules vary. CubeSmart’s posted rules bar storing “guns, ammunition, weapons and/or illegal drugs.” Storelocal says some facilities allow legal firearms but “all facilities prohibit ammunition.”
Value can be capped too. CubeSmart bars items worth more than $5,000 in total unless the owner agrees in writing.
Uses
Most leases say the unit is for storage only. That rules out living there, running a business from it, and in many places working on projects in it.
Power is part of this. CubeSmart’s rules bar tenants from connecting “to any electricity, cable, internet or any other utilities serving the Store.” Even in a unit with an outlet, the facility may limit what you can run.
Lists differ by company and state, so read your own lease. Public Storage says to “review your rental agreement before move-in for the complete list.” If you’re unsure about an item, ask the manager and get the answer in writing.