SSA Advocacy News & Resources
The Self Storage Association (SSA) is the voice of the self storage industry and serves as the industry’s primary advocate on legislative matters and government relations. SSA furthers the industry’s public policy agenda by actively working with elected officials and regulators on issues that affect the industry’s welfare.
Over the past decade, SSA has spent millions of dollars influencing dozens of relevant laws, including laws providing for licenses to sell tenant insurance, authorizing reasonable late fees, modernizing required methods of notice, and fighting the imposition of sales taxes on self storage rents. SSA frequently collaborates with affiliated state associations to achieve legislative successes.
Government Relations
SSA Government Relations are managed by the SSA President & CEO, SSA General Counsel and the SSA SVP, Legal & Legislative Counsel, with input from SSA's Legislative and Regulatory Advisory Committee, which is comprised of self storage facility operators and public company representatives.
BUILDING CODES UPDATE
Changes to the International Building Code Affect Self Storage
With the support of its Code Committee, the Self Storage Association successfully pursued several key changes to the 2021 International Building Code.
- An exception has been added to IBC Section 2902.3.3 to permit an increase in the location (to greater than every other floor) and maximum distance of travel (to greater than 500 ft) for restrooms. The location and travel distance must be approved by the code official.
- The maximum allowable height of sprinklered facilities made of Type IIB materials (unprotected steel) and Type IIIB materials (noncombustible or fire-retardant-treated wood stud exterior walls and any interior construction) has been increased from 3 stories to 4 stories. The Code continues to have total floor and building square footage limits.
- Pursuant to modified IBC Section 903.2.9, storage facilities are exempt from the automatic sprinkler system requirement if: (1) the total fire area is 12,000 sq. ft. or less; (2) the combined total fire areas are 24,000 sq. ft. or less; (3) the facility is no greater than one story above grade plane; and (4) all storage spaces are accessed directly from the exterior.
These changes go into effect as they are adopted by local and state governments over the next several years. Prior to the adoption on the local and state level, storage developers can request that the code official rely on the 2021 changes as acceptable alternative methods of construction pursuant to section 104.11 of the existing International Building Code.
Please email Joe Doherty with any questions or to receive supporting documentation for these changes.
Legislation
What We Do
SSA’s primary areas of focus include modernizing lien laws and state insurance licensing requirements in the following areas:
Certified Mail
This effort seeks to permit lien notices to be sent by verified mail, which confirms delivery. This method recognizes that certified mail is typically ignored and provides a significant savings for tenants and operators.
Newspaper Advertising
This effort seeks to allow operators to advertise lien sales through methods other than newspaper advertisements, such as online auction sites.
Towing
This effort seeks to provide operators with the option to tow vehicles, trailers and watercraft when rent is overdue, in lieu of complying with the sometimes cumbersome process. Operators retain the right to sell in compliance with state law.
Email Notifications
This effort seeks to provide operators with the ability to email lien notifications and other official communications.
Contractual Value Limitations
This effort seeks to put into law that contractual limitations on the value of stored property are enforceable.
Late Fee Standardization
An industry-wide effort to standardize late fees in the amount of $20 or 20 percent, whichever is greater.
Tenant Insurance
This effort seeks to provide operators with the ability to obtain a limited insurance license authorizing them to sell certain types of insurance to their tenants.
Building Codes
Monitoring and/or amending reasonable building code requirements for the industry.
Online Auctions
This effort seeks to provide operators with the ability to hold auctions online as opposed to at the facility.
The SSA is ever vigilant in protecting the industry from unnecessary laws or regulations. If you have questions or concerns regarding the industry’s relationship with the government, please feel free to contact us.
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