What Can and Can’t Be Stored in A Self-storage Unit in South Dakota?

Tips


Lock Box Self Storage
December 1st, 2023


: Photo of a large metal-sided storage barn with a banner reading, “What can and can't be stored in a self-storage unit in South Dakota?”

What Can and Can’t Be Stored in A Self-storage Unit in South Dakota?

Our Reno Gulch, Hill City self storage and business storage units are versatile and can solve all your clutter and inventory issues.

But what can you actually store in them? More importantly, what can’t you store in them?

To keep your unit safe, hazard-free, and legal, here’s our definitive guide.

What Can’t You Store in Our Hill City South Dakota Self-storage Unit?

Perishable Foods

Storing perishable foods in a unit comes with several problems that can quickly get out of hand. Certain types of food are likely to rot or spoil which will not only smell bad and make a mess of the unit, it will also attract undesirable insects and vermin.

Don’t store any food items in your unit that will spoil, go rancid. or be attractive to pests. Canned goods are usually okay, but make sure the cans aren’t damaged before you place them in the unit.

Flammable, Combustible, Toxic or Hazardous Substances

It’s easy to overlook these items as things like paint cans aren’t generally seen as harmful. However, if you have any of the following or similar, they must not be kept in your storage unit:
● Fireworks
● Firearms and weapons
● Explosives
● Gasoline
● Propane tanks
● Kerosene
● Motor or lamp oil
● Compressed gas
● Industrial cleaning supplies
● Paints and paint strippers and thinners ● Mineral spirits
● Fertilizers and weed killers
● Chemicals
● Corrosives
● Acids
● Radioactive substances
● Biological or toxic waste

Not only do they risk damaging the rest of your Hill City storage unit items, but they also pose a significant risk to the entire Reno Gulch storage facility.

One careless action and the whole place could go up in flames or toxic substances can leak and contaminate the entire facility. Before storing an item like this, ask yourself two questions:

● If I light a match to this, will it go up in flames or explode?
● If I spill this on myself will it injure me or make me sick?

If the answer is “Yes” to either question, then leave it elsewhere – preferably somewhere safe!

Anything Living

This should really go without saying but storage units are not appropriate places to keep animals (plus it’s illegal to do so), nor are they suitable places to call home.

If you’re going on vacation and need somewhere to keep your dog while you’re away, our South Dakota storage unit is not the place. Find family, friends, or proper boarding facilities instead.

And while a storage unit can be far more attractive in price than local rents, you are not permitted to live in it or stay in it overnight.

Plants also fall into this category. Besides being pointless since the lack of sunlight will quickly cause a plant to die, the moisture in the soil can quickly cause mold and mildew on the surrounding areas.

Illegal Substances

Our Hill City self-storage units can be the perfect place to store items used for your business – so long as that business is legal.

One of the advantages of self-storage is the amount of privacy you are afforded. However, that does not mean you can use our units for illegal activities. You cannot use the units to store:
● Narcotics
● Unregistered weapons or firearms
● Counterfeit, smuggled, or stolen goods
● Unlicenced or unsafe goods
● Anything else you’d get arrested for storing in our units

What Can Be Stored in Our Hill City South Dakota Self-storage Unit?

Okay, so that’s quite an extensive list of things you can’t place in our Hill City self-storage units. What can you actually store then?

Quite a lot!
Antiques, Sculptures, Collectibles
Storage units are dry and safe making them the ideal place to keep valuable items such as antiques and art pieces.

Our tip: We recommend wrapping each item in a protective layer such as bubble wrap or a sheet and labeling it. This will help prevent knocks and scrapes, and the label will help you quickly identify each item without having to unwrap them.

Business Storage Supplies

Online and bricks and mortar businesses alike often lack storage solutions. This is why self-storage or business storage is such a great idea.

You can keep your inventory or stock in a unit (so long as it doesn’t fall into any of the prohibited categories), all admin papers, and other business-related items, and keep your day-to-day workspace clutter-free.

Note: While you can use a storage unit for business supplies, running an entire business out of a self-storage unit is prohibited.

Books, Clothes, Photos

All those keepsakes you collected over the years and can’t bear to part with will be happy in self-storage.

Our tip: To keep everything organized and protected, use plastic storage boxes. This helps prevent your items from getting damaged and keeps the storage unit tidy and easy to manage.

Furniture

There are many reasons for furniture storage. Perhaps you’re between houses right now, or you’re downsizing, or you have decided to rent out your property.

Whatever the reason, our South Dakota provides the space to keep your furniture safe.

Just remember to assess the amount and size of your furniture to understand which size unit you need to reserve.

Holiday Decorations, Sports Equipment

We all love the holidays but we don’t love the clutter created from the boxes of decorations. When it’s not holiday season, keep them out of the way by storing them in one of our units.

The same goes for sports equipment – particularly if it’s seasonal such as ski gear which you are unlikely to use year round.

Note: Never store wet or damp gear in your storage unit as this will create mildew and mold. Always thoroughly dry out the equipment first before placing it in storage.

TV’s, Electronics, and Other Appliances

Electronic items and appliances keep very well in storage units and will be secure there until you need them. Just remember to remove any batteries from items as these can leak or corrode if left for a long time which may damage your item.

Get in Touch With Reno Gulch Storage

We would love to have a chat with you about your storage needs. We have various sized units from large to small and we are more than happy to discuss your needs and advise on the best storage solution for you.

Get in touch with Reno Gulch Storage today. Call (605) 574-2106, complete our online form, or visit our location: 24106 Hwy 385, Hill City, SD 57745.