Self-Storage Facilities Review

Self-storage facilities provide individual secure storage units for rent for a range of personal belongings or business inventory.

The self-storage industry is experiencing change in response to shifting demands. An increase in remote work, downsizing, family transitions, apartment living, and small business needs have led to an increased demand for storage facilities and a change in what self-storage facilities look like, where they are located, and the services they provide.

Newer facilities provide diverse unit sizes often ranging from closet sized units up to units the size of a large garage. Many incorporate features such as indoor drive-in bays and associated services like packaging and shipping services, home organization products, and even boardroom spaces. In city centres, self-storage facilities may occupy a portion of a mixed-use building and incorporate retail stores on the ground level and may even occupy a portion of a mixed-use building.

The evolving nature of self-storage has led to outdated policies and zoning regulations. In response, City of Hamilton Planning staff retained MHBC Planning to conduct a research and best practices review of the self-storage industry to inform updates to zoning regulations guiding where self-storage facilities may be permitted, and what form they make take.

We're collecting information as part of this project

Notice of Collection: The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of Section 227 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Any personal information collected for Unpacking Self-Storage will be used for/to collecting and using personal information is to provide the public with updates related to the project. By providing your email address, you are consenting to receiving emails from the City of Hamilton and/or their agents/contractors for purposes related to this Unpacking Self-Storage project. Information collected for this initiative may be stored on servers located in Canada and the United States and may be subject to Canadian and/or American laws. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Planner, Planning and Economic Development, 71 Main Street West, 905-546-2424 ext. 1287, lucas.mascotto-carbone@hamilton.ca(External link).