Texarkana, AR Bans Living In Storage Units

Self-storage operators have been dealing with transients living in their storage units for years. In Texarkana, Arkansas, a new ordinance has just been passed that outlaws this. The new ordinance amends an existing city code to prohibit “living, either permanently or temporarily, in any structure designed primarily for the storage of personal property to include but not limited to, personal belongings, vehicles, equipment or goods for sale.”

“Over the past few months, code enforcement has received several calls from both private citizens and the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department concerning citizens living in storage facilities or structures," wrote city planner Jamie Finley, who introduced the measure. "This practice is both unsafe and unhealthy and is a detriment to surrounding property.”

“Our biggest deal is it's an unsanitary condition,” said Roger Douglas, city building officer. Finely also noted that with winter coming, there’s a risk of fire as people attempt to stay warm in these types of structures.

Resident Rachel Burnett asked officials not to pass the ordinance at the hearing. “Find it in your hearts not to take away options from people living in the city,” she pleaded. Burnett had lived in a storage shed on her grandparent’s property when she was 18. “I don't feel like it's your right as the government to tell me that my cousin can't stay in a shed out back when he's hard down on his luck. That doesn't feel like my values that it is someone else's place to tell me how I live.”

Richards noted that even without a specific ordinance, municipal code restricts where people can live. “It is already illegal to live in storage units. The reason we're doing this is that we don't have anything in our specific ordinances that addresses it,” he said.

For a detailed look at the heated discussion that took place, you can read the full story in the Texarkana Gazette.

Further Reading:

Couple Goes Viral For Living in Self-Storage Unit