Frequently Asked Storage Questions

Otter Storage offers a wide range of unit sizes to fit any need, typically from 5×5 to 10×30 feet. Here’s a quick size guide: A 5×5 unit (25 sq ft) fits a small closet’s worth of boxes and small furniture. A 5×10 unit (50 sq ft) fits a studio apartment or large items like a mattress and appliances. A 10×10 unit (100 sq ft) fits the contents of a one-bedroom apartment. A 10×20 unit (200 sq ft) fits a 2–3 bedroom home. A 10×30 unit (300 sq ft) fits a large 4–5 bedroom home or the contents of a 26-foot moving truck. Use our Size Guide to find the right fit, or call us and we’ll help you choose.

Yes. Select Otter Storage facilities offer climate-controlled storage units that maintain stable indoor temperatures year-round, protecting your belongings from extreme heat, cold, and humidity. Climate-controlled storage is recommended for items sensitive to temperature changes, including wood furniture, electronics, artwork, antiques, clothing, documents, and musical instruments. Visit your local facility page to confirm climate-controlled unit availability and current pricing.

Yes, drive-up storage units can be used for vehicles that fit. Vehicles must be operable, and fuel or battery requirements are outlined in the lease.

All you need is a credit card and a valid ID or driver’s license. With these, you can rent a unit online or over the phone and move in within minutes.

For the safety of all tenants, the following items are prohibited at all Otter Storage facilities: perishable food or plants, live animals or pets, illegal drugs or stolen property, flammable or explosive materials (gasoline, propane, fireworks), hazardous or toxic chemicals, lithium-ion batteries (including e-bikes and e-scooters), and firearms or ammunition (unless permitted by local law). Vehicles stored in units must be operable, registered, and have fuel tanks at or below one-quarter full. Refer to your rental agreement for a complete list. If you’re unsure whether an item is allowed, call us before your move-in.

No, living in or conducting business operations from a storage unit is strictly prohibited.

Call the property number, email support@otterstorage.com, or use the QR code on your unit door to submit a ticket.

Self storage (also called mini storage) is a service that lets individuals and businesses rent a private, lockable storage unit on a flexible, month-to-month basis. At Otter Storage, you choose the unit size you need, rent it entirely online or by phone, and access your belongings 7 days a week during facility hours. You keep your own lock and key — no staff member can enter your unit. Units are priced monthly and can be vacated at any time with no long-term lease required. Self storage is used for moving, downsizing, home renovation, business inventory, vehicle storage, and seasonal item storage.

Drive-up storage units are accessed directly from the parking lot — you pull your vehicle up to the unit door, like a garage. These outdoor-accessible units are ideal for items that aren’t sensitive to temperature changes, such as tools, equipment, furniture, and non-fragile household goods. Climate-controlled storage units are located inside an enclosed building and maintain a consistent temperature year-round. They are recommended for items that can be damaged by heat, cold, or humidity — including electronics, wood furniture, artwork, clothing, documents, and wine. Climate-controlled units typically cost slightly more than standard drive-up units but provide superior protection for delicate belongings.

Storage unit pricing at Otter Storage varies by location, unit size, and features such as climate control or drive-up access. Prices typically range from around $30–$70/month for small units (5×5, 5×10) and $80–$200+/month for larger units (10×10 to 10×30). The best way to see current pricing is to visit your local facility page on otterstorage.com, where you can view real-time availability and rates. Otter Storage offers a fully online rental process with no administrative fees and no long-term contracts required.

No. Otter Storage rents on a flexible month-to-month basis with no minimum commitment beyond the first month. There are no long-term lease requirements. You can rent for as short as one month or as long as you need. There is no advance notice required to move out — simply empty your unit, remove your lock, and notify us that you’ve vacated so we can close your account.

Self storage is used for a wide variety of personal and business needs. Common uses at Otter Storage include: moving or relocating (store belongings between homes), home decluttering or downsizing, home renovation or remodeling (store furniture while work is done), seasonal item storage (holiday decorations, sporting equipment, outdoor furniture), college student storage during summer or study abroad, military storage during deployment, business inventory, equipment, and document storage, RV, boat, motorcycle, and vehicle storage, and estate storage during a family transition. Whatever your situation, Otter Storage offers flexible, affordable units in sizes from 5×5 to 10×30 to meet your needs.

Choosing the right storage unit size depends on how much you’re storing and whether you need to access items frequently. Use Otter Storage’s Size Guide as a starting point. As a general rule: a 5×5 unit fits a small closet’s worth of boxes or seasonal items; a 5×10 unit fits a studio apartment or large furniture pieces; a 10×10 unit fits a 1–2 bedroom apartment; a 10×15 unit fits a 2–3 bedroom home’s contents; a 10×20 unit fits a 3–4 bedroom home or the contents of a standard moving truck; and a 10×30 unit fits a large home or 26-foot moving truck. When in doubt, size up — it’s easier to have extra space than to cramp your belongings. Call us at 888-830-8837 and our team can help you estimate the right size.

Yes. Select Otter Storage locations offer vehicle storage options for cars, motorcycles, boats, trailers, and RVs. Storage options include outdoor uncovered parking spaces, covered parking, and enclosed drive-up units depending on the facility. All vehicles must be operable, registered, insured, and have fuel tanks no more than one-quarter full. Oversized vehicles like large RVs or commercial trucks may not be accommodated at all locations. Visit our Vehicle Storage page or contact your nearest Otter Storage location to confirm availability and sizing.

Yes. Otter Storage is proud to offer military discounts for active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Visit our Military Discounts page for details on eligibility and how to apply your discount when renting online or by phone. Military ID or proof of service is required. Otter Storage is located near several military installations, including locations in Killeen, TX (near Fort Cavazos), and others across the U.S. and Canada.

Yes. Otter Storage offers flexible business storage solutions for contractors, retailers, e-commerce sellers, and small businesses. Common business uses include storing inventory, tools and equipment, documents and files, seasonal merchandise, and company vehicles. Month-to-month leasing makes it easy to scale storage up or down as your business needs change — without the overhead of a commercial warehouse lease. Drive-up units allow easy loading and unloading with a truck or van. Visit our Business Storage page for more information.

Otter Storage is a fully automated self-storage company. This means there are no on-site managers — everything is handled digitally. You can rent a unit online 24/7, receive your access code instantly, open the gate via keypad or smartphone app, make payments through the online portal, and submit maintenance requests via QR code on your unit door. This fully automated model keeps costs lower and allows Otter to offer competitive pricing. A live customer support team is available by phone 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Central Time on Sunday, if you need help.

Otter Storage uses Dragonfruit AI, an advanced artificial intelligence security platform, to monitor its facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unlike traditional CCTV systems that record passively, Dragonfruit AI actively analyzes video feeds in real time to detect unusual behavior, unauthorized access, and potential security threats — alerting Otter’s security team immediately. This makes Otter Storage one of the few self-storage providers using next-generation AI-powered surveillance rather than standard camera monitoring. Learn more on our Dragonfruit AI Security page.

Otter Self Storage has locations across 12 U.S. states — including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Idaho, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Washington — plus Calgary, Alberta, Canada. All facilities are fully automated and accessible 7 days a week. Use our Locations page to find the facility closest to you and view available unit sizes, features, and pricing.

Renting a self-storage unit at Otter Storage takes just a few minutes — no in-person visit required. You can rent online 24/7 from any device, or call our rental center. All you need is a valid government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) and a major debit or credit card. Once your rental is confirmed, you’ll receive a personal gate access code immediately. Otter Storage’s contactless, fully online rental process means you can move in the same day.

Otter Storage facilities are 100% automated — there are no on-site office hours. You can rent a unit, make payments, and manage your account online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our customer support team is available by phone or email during call center hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Saturday and 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Central Time on Sunday. For billing or account questions, email info@otterstorage.com or log into your online account portal anytime.

Otter Storage access hours are 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, 7 days a week. You do not need to schedule a visit — simply enter your personal gate code at the keypad or use the free Storage Genie mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) to open the gate hands-free. Access hours apply at all locations; please exit before 9:00 PM to avoid lease issues.

Yes. Select Otter Storage facilities offer climate-controlled storage units that maintain stable indoor temperatures year-round, protecting your belongings from extreme heat, cold, and humidity. Climate-controlled storage is recommended for items sensitive to temperature changes, including wood furniture, electronics, artwork, antiques, clothing, documents, and musical instruments. Visit your local facility page to confirm climate-controlled unit availability and current pricing.

Otter Storage facilities use advanced, multi-layered security to protect your belongings. Security features include: AI-powered video surveillance monitored 24/7 by a dedicated security team, individual keypad access codes unique to each tenant, bright LED lighting throughout all indoor and outdoor areas, and electronic gate entry that logs every access event. No tailgating is allowed — every entry requires a personal code. Otter Storage is one of the few self-storage operators using AI-driven video monitoring for real-time threat detection.

After completing your rental, you’ll receive a personal gate access code via email or text. Enter it at the facility keypad to open the gate. For the most convenient entry, download the free Storage Genie app on your iPhone or Android — the gate opens automatically as you pull up, without needing to roll down your window. Your access code is unique to your account and is logged every time it’s used.

Yes. Select Otter Storage locations offer outdoor parking spaces and enclosed drive-up units for RVs, boats, trailers, cars, and other vehicles. Vehicle storage availability varies by location. Before reserving, confirm your vehicle’s height, length, and width, as some spaces have size restrictions. Visit our RV, Boat & Vehicle Storage page or call 888-830-8837 to find a facility near you that accommodates your vehicle.

Pay your storage bill online anytime through our website using a debit or credit card. You can also sign up for autopay to ensure you never miss a payment!

After completing your rental, you’ll receive a personal gate access code via email or text. Enter it at the facility keypad to open the gate. For the most convenient entry, download the free Storage Genie app on your iPhone or Android — the gate opens automatically as you pull up, without needing to roll down your window. Your access code is unique to your account and is logged every time it’s used.

Otter Storage access hours are 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, 7 days a week. You do not need to schedule a visit — simply enter your personal gate code at the keypad or use the free Storage Genie mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) to open the gate hands-free. Access hours apply at all locations; please exit before 9:00 PM to avoid lease issues.

An overlock is a secondary lock placed by Otter Storage on your unit when your account becomes past due. It prevents access to your belongings until your balance is paid. To remove an overlock: log in to your account at otterstorage.com/pay-online and bring your account current, then you’ll automatically receive a code to remove the overlock from your unit door. If you have trouble, call us and select ‘Gates’ from the phone menu. Avoid overlocks by enrolling in AutoPay — your payment processes automatically each month on your anniversary date.

Otter Storage access hours are 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, 7 days a week. You do not need to schedule a visit — simply enter your personal gate code at the keypad or use the free Storage Genie mobile app (available for iPhone and Android) to open the gate hands-free. Access hours apply at all locations; please exit before 9:00 PM to avoid lease issues.

First, confirm that you’re accessing the facility during posted access hours and that your account is current. If you’re still experiencing issues, please call us and select “Gates” from the menu.

Our facilities feature secure gated entry with unique access codes for each user, bright LED lighting throughout, and AI-powered video surveillance monitored 24/7 by our security team.

Yes, you’ll need to bring a lock to secure your unit. For the best protection, we recommend using a disc lock.

Otter Storage offers several convenient payment options. You can pay online 24/7 through the account portal, enroll in AutoPay for automatic monthly billing (recommended — avoids late fees), pay by phone using our automated system, or call our team directly during support hours. We accept all major debit and credit cards. Payments are due on your monthly move-in anniversary date. Late fees apply to overdue accounts, and unpaid units may be overlocked until payment is received.

Visit our Pay Online page and select your location to visit the online account portal. From there, you can pay your bill, update your information, and manage your account with ease.

Your bill is due each month on your move-in anniversary date. For example, if you moved in on the 12th, your payment will be due on the 12th of every month. Late fees apply if payment is not received on time, but enrolling in AutoPay makes it easy to stay current.

Yes. Insurance coverage is required for all Otter Storage rentals. You have two options: enroll in one of Otter Storage’s affordable tenant protection plans at move-in, or provide proof of an existing renters or homeowners insurance policy that covers items stored off-premises. Not all standard homeowners policies automatically cover storage units, so check with your insurance provider before assuming you’re covered. Coverage protects your belongings against theft, fire, water damage, and other covered losses.

Lien and auction timelines vary by state. Please contact us immediately to make a payment or set up arrangements to keep your belongings. Once a unit is sold at auction, items cannot be recovered.

No advance notice is required to move out, simply clear out your unit and let us know when it’s empty so we can close your account. If you’re unable to call, you can scan the QR code on your unit door (where available) to submit a move-out ticket.

Our customer service team is available 7 days a week to assist with any issues and coordinate repairs with our facilities team if needed. For the quickest resolution, please call us or submit a ticket using the QR code located on your unit.