Last updated Aug 7, 2026
Running a business often means managing more property than the primary workplace can comfortably hold. Seasonal inventory, tools, marketing materials, office furniture, records, and equipment can quickly consume valuable space.
Self storage may provide additional room for permitted business property without requiring a long-term commercial lease. However, a storage unit is not an office, storefront, fulfillment center, workshop, or substitute for every type of commercial space.
The City of Federal Way provides local licensing and economic-development information for companies operating in the city. Business owners considering storage should also review their rental agreement, insurance coverage, recordkeeping obligations, and any regulations that apply to their inventory.
This guide explains which businesses may benefit from self storage, what they can reasonably store, how to select a unit size, and what SecureSpace Self Storage Federal Way offers.
Companies may need additional space during growth, seasonal changes, relocations, renovations, or periods of excess inventory.
The SelfStorage.com's 2025 trends report reflects the broader role self storage plays for households and businesses managing limited space.
Common business uses include:
Storing permitted inventory overflow
Organizing tools and equipment
Holding trade-show displays
Keeping seasonal décor or marketing materials
Temporarily storing office furniture
Managing supplies during a renovation
Retaining permitted records that do not need daily access
Keeping replacement parts and nonhazardous materials organized
The suitability of a storage unit depends on the business, the property being stored, and the facility's rules.
Self storage can support many types of companies, provided the unit is used only for permitted storage rather than active business operations.
Contractors may use a unit for permitted tools, ladders, equipment cases, replacement parts, and nonhazardous job supplies.
Before storing powered equipment:
Remove dirt and job-site debris.
Let equipment dry completely.
Follow manufacturer maintenance instructions.
Review rules for fuel, batteries, chemicals, and pressurized containers.
Keep an inventory of tools and serial numbers.
Use freestanding shelving or rolling cabinets.
Fuel, propane, flammable liquids, and hazardous chemicals should not be assumed to be permitted.
Retailers may need space for seasonal merchandise, display materials, packaging, fixtures, or excess stock.
A storage unit can hold permitted inventory, but it should not be used as a customer-facing retail location. Business owners should also consider whether products have temperature, humidity, expiration, or security requirements that ordinary storage cannot satisfy.
Online sellers may use storage for packaged merchandise, shipping materials, product photography equipment, or seasonal inventory.
The unit should not be treated as an active fulfillment center. Plan to receive shipments and meet customers at an approved business location rather than operating from the storage property.
Avoid storing:
Perishable goods
Restricted products
Hazardous materials
Temperature-sensitive merchandise
Unapproved batteries
Products requiring regulated handling
Items prohibited by the rental agreement
Real estate professionals may use storage for yard signs, lockboxes, staging accessories, brochures, display materials, and office furniture.
Freestanding racks and labeled bins can keep signs and marketing materials organized without attaching anything to the unit walls.
Trade-show displays, banners, portable booths, promotional materials, table coverings, and event equipment can take up substantial office space between uses.
Measure large displays before renting and make sure they can be moved through the unit entrance without bending or disassembly that could damage them.
Businesses relocating or renovating an office may use temporary storage for desks, chairs, filing cabinets, equipment, and general supplies.
Sensitive records require additional consideration. Financial, personnel, legal, healthcare, and client documents may be subject to privacy, retention, security, or disposal requirements beyond the facility's rental rules.
Some equipment-rental, landscaping, maintenance, or service businesses may use storage for permitted equipment and nonhazardous supplies.
A unit cannot be used as a workshop. Repair work, equipment testing, customer visits, and active operations may be restricted or prohibited.
Common business property that may be appropriate for self storage includes:
Packaged nonperishable inventory
Office furniture
Trade-show materials
Signs and displays
Tools and equipment
Filing cabinets
General office supplies
Replacement parts
Seasonal decorations
Protective equipment
Product packaging
Unused fixtures
Every item must comply with the rental agreement and applicable laws.
Some products require environmental controls, specialized security, licensing, or regulated handling that standard self storage cannot provide.
Review requirements carefully before storing:
Pharmaceuticals
Medical samples
Clinical supplies
Controlled products
Food or beverages
Chemicals
Fuels
Compressed gas
Pesticides
Flammable materials
Refrigerated inventory
Damaged batteries
High-value confidential records
Irreplaceable property
Regulated waste
SecureSpace Self Storage Federal Way offers standard, non-climate-controlled units. It does not provide heated storage or specialized pharmaceutical, medical, archival, or document-storage environments.
Business storage should remain separate from day-to-day operations.
A unit generally should not be used as:
An office
A retail storefront
A workshop
A customer meeting location
An employee work area
A manufacturing space
A shipping or fulfillment center
A place to conduct repairs
A package-receiving operation
A warehouse with active loading activity throughout the day
Rules governing business addresses, mail, registrations, and licensing vary. Confirm requirements with the appropriate government agency and review the facility agreement before listing a storage unit as any type of business address.
Self storage and commercial real estate serve different purposes.
A storage unit may provide flexible room for permitted property, while an office, shop, or warehouse may provide:
Utilities
Work areas
Customer access
Employee facilities
Package receiving
Loading infrastructure
Business-address eligibility
Commercial activity rights
Storage may be useful when a business needs space for inactive property rather than a place to conduct operations.
Month-to-month leases are available at SecureSpace Federal Way, but renters should still review:
Current pricing
Billing dates
Rate-adjustment terms
Insurance or coverage requirements
Access rules
Move-out notice
Prohibited-item restrictions
Transfer procedures
Lock requirements
Moving to a different unit size depends on current availability and facility procedures.
SecureSpace Self Storage Federal Way offers these primary sizes:
5x5
5x15
10x10
10x15
10x20
10x25
10x30
A 5x10 is not one of the location's primary sizes.
A 5x5 may work for:
Office supplies
Small equipment cases
Marketing materials
Compact displays
Several file boxes
Small amounts of packaged inventory
Measure shelving, containers, and equipment before selecting this size.
A 5x15 provides additional depth for:
Tools and equipment
Long signs or displays
Several filing cabinets
Freestanding shelving
Seasonal inventory
Office furniture
Leave a walkway when items at the back will need to be retrieved regularly.
A 10x10 may suit:
Moderate inventory overflow
Office furniture
Trade-show equipment
Rolling tool cabinets
Packaged supplies
Property from a small office relocation
Capacity depends on container dimensions, shelving, furniture shapes, and aisle space.
A 10x15 provides more room for larger displays, contractor equipment, business furniture, and inventory that requires organized access.
Keep frequently used property near the entrance and heavier equipment near the floor.
Sizes from 10x20 through 10x30 may accommodate extensive permitted inventory, equipment, office furniture, or combined business-storage needs.
These units should not be treated as active warehouses or workshops. Vehicles cannot be stored inside drive-up units.
Before selecting a unit:
According to SpareFoot, stabilized self-storage facilities in the western United States averaged 79.8% occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2025. Availability still varies by property, size, and unit type, so check current inventory before scheduling transportation.
SecureSpace Self Storage Federal Way is located at 34202 16th Ave S.
The facility offers standard, non-climate-controlled self storage. Heated and climate-controlled units are not available.
Before storing business property:
Clean and dry every item.
Follow manufacturer instructions.
Review product temperature requirements.
Remove batteries when directed.
Avoid sealing damp equipment in containers.
Use sturdy shelving and containers.
Check inventory periodically.
Consider another arrangement for environmentally sensitive property.
Selected units offer drive-up access, which may reduce carrying distance for tools, inventory, equipment cases, signs, and office furniture.
Drive-up units are intended for storage and loading. They cannot be used for:
Vehicle storage
Equipment repair
Customer pickup operations
Manufacturing
Daily employee work
Active inventory fulfillment
Drive-up availability varies.
Businesses should plan around the facility's loading setup.
SecureSpace Federal Way does not provide:
Covered loading
A loading dock
Carts or dollies
An elevator
Semi-truck access
Moving-pod staging
Bring any hand trucks, furniture dollies, ramps, protective covers, or lifting assistance needed.
Because loading is uncovered, check the weather before transporting documents, electronics, cardboard boxes, or other property that should remain dry.
An organized unit can reduce retrieval time and unnecessary handling.
Shelving can keep inventory and supplies visible while preserving floor space.
Do not drill into walls or install permanent hooks, brackets, racks, or cabinets.
Group property by function, such as:
Current inventory
Seasonal inventory
Marketing materials
Tools
Replacement parts
Office supplies
Archived records
Trade-show equipment
Include the contents, department, season, or project name on more than one side of each container.
Use inventory numbers when several boxes contain similar products.
Place regularly retrieved tools, supplies, or stock toward the front. Long-term property can remain farther back.
Rolling cabinets, toolboxes, dense inventory, and heavy equipment should remain on the floor or properly rated shelving.
Do not place heavy containers above fragile property.
Record:
Item descriptions
Quantities
Serial numbers
Purchase dates
Approximate values
Container locations
Authorized users
Update the inventory when property enters or leaves the unit.
SecureSpace Federal Way has:
An access gate
Digital video recording
Overnight surveillance
These features cannot guarantee protection from theft, loss, or damage.
Business renters should also:
Use a compatible unit lock.
Keep access information private.
Limit access to authorized employees.
Document valuable equipment.
Maintain an updated inventory.
Review applicable insurance coverage.
Visit the unit periodically.
Report access concerns promptly.
Do not assume the facility offers individualized gate credentials, unit alarms, live camera monitoring, motion alerts, security patrols, or package acceptance.
Gate access is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The facility does not offer 24-hour gate access. Schedule inventory visits, equipment retrieval, and unloading within the established hours.
Online payments and ACH or credit card payment plans are available. Basic moving and packing supplies can also be purchased at the facility.
Uncovered outdoor parking may be available for eligible cars, motor vehicles, RVs, and boats.
Eligibility depends on:
Vehicle dimensions
Required documentation
Vehicle condition
Facility rules
Current availability
Applicable rental terms
Covered parking is not available. Trailer parking is not established and should not be assumed.
Parking does not include permission to conduct business operations, repairs, loading activity, or customer meetings in the parking area.
Yes. A business may store permitted inventory, tools, equipment, furniture, records, and supplies, subject to the rental agreement and applicable regulations.
A storage unit should not be used as an office, workshop, retail location, or regular employee workspace.
The facility should not be treated as a storefront or customer meeting location. Review the rental agreement before allowing anyone other than authorized users to access the unit.
Do not assume the facility accepts business packages or freight. Arrange deliveries through an approved business address and review current facility policies.
No. Heated storage is not available.
No. The facility offers standard, non-climate-controlled storage.
Products requiring temperature control, regulated handling, refrigeration, or specialized compliance should not be placed in ordinary storage. Review all legal, manufacturer, and facility requirements.
The smallest primary size is 5x5.
Yes. Selected units offer drive-up access, subject to availability.
No. Vehicles cannot be stored inside the storage units.
Eligible vehicles may qualify for uncovered outdoor parking, subject to dimensions, documentation, facility rules, and availability.
No. A loading dock is not available.
No. Business renters should bring their own moving equipment.
Semi-truck accessibility is not available.
Gate access is available daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Yes. Review the rental agreement for billing, rate adjustments, notice requirements, transfers, and move-out procedures.
Tax treatment depends on the business, purpose, documentation, and applicable law. Consult a qualified tax professional before claiming a deduction.
Business storage can provide flexible space for permitted inventory, tools, office furniture, displays, and supplies that do not require an active commercial workspace. Choose a unit based on actual measurements, organize it around retrieval needs, and review restrictions before moving regulated or sensitive property.
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