Working collaboratively with SSA and our lobbyist, CSSA is able to work on statewide issues to benefit self storage in California. However, increasingly we are under assault by local municipalities who are placing moratoriums or draconian restrictions on self storage. Here are some examples of what we have experienced recently:

• Los Angeles Measure ULA – will add a 4% tax on real estate deals above $5M, with the rate increasing to 5.5% on deals above $10M. The new transfer tax would be added to LA’s existing transfer tax of 0.45%
• San Diego  - restrictions on new self-storage construction in what they term as “prime industrial zones” – an arbitrary label with no criteria
• Thousand Oaks – new restrictions on self-storage location, design, zoning – with unrealistic requirements such as mandatory climate control, retail store front, excessive parking, etc.
• Camarillo – moratorium on any new construction within city limits
• Richmond – Progressive Business Tax: City – new model would calculate the business tax based on the amount of gross receipts
• Oakland & San Francisco – similar progressive tax measure (as Richmond) already approved

These new initiatives add additional taxes and not only restrict new construction of self storage, but extend to any rebuild, expansion, or remodel of existing facilities.

Through CSSA’s Legislative & Legal Committee, CSSA is building an infrastructure to identify these issues early on, contact local self storage owners to supply them with materials for responding (emails, testifying), and in some cases provide subject-matter experts (such as land-use attorneys) to combat these initiatives. This takes resources – so CSSA has launched the Local Initiatives Fund (LIF). We are asking all CSSA members to contribute $5,000 (or whatever they can give) to help in this fight. These funds are kept separate from CSSA’s operating budget and will be used ONLY for researching and responding to these local initiatives.  

Thank you - CSSA Board of Directors & Staff

Donations to CSSA’s LIF is not a donation to a political candidate, political party, or to support a PAC (Political Action Committee) – it is a donation to your non-profit trade association to help in this effort.

These donations MAY BE tax deductible as a business expense – please check with your tax attorney/preparer.

A donation receipt will be emailed to you once a donation payment is received