The California Self Storage Association (CSSA) the Non-Profit Trade Association for the Self Storage Industry in the State of California. For more than 10 years the Association has served as the official trade organization and voice of the Californian self storage industry.  The association is quite active in representation of the industry before state legislative and regulatory bodies. The CSSA is formally affiliated with the National Self Storage Association on multiple levels. Our Executive Director, Erin King, serves as the co chair to the affiliated associations counsel which promotes idea sharing and best practices between the SSA and all of the affiliated states.

The self storage industry in the United States grosses $20+ billion in annual revenues (2011).  The industry has been the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the last 30 years and has been considered by Wall Street analysts to be "recession resistant” based on its performance since the economic recession of September, 2008.  The industry pays approximately $3 billion each year in local and state property taxes.

There are five public corporations operating in the industry: Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, U-Store-It Trust, Sovran Self Storage and U-Haul International.  The industry has hundreds of large independent firms that operate chains of from 10-100 stores; also, there are some 4,000 firms that own and operate between 2 and 9 stores.  However, the vast majority of owner-operators in the industry own and operate just 1 facility. California has one of the highest concentrations of Self Storage facilities in the United States.

The CSSA is governed by an elected Board of Directors which includes the Executive Committee. The Board meets monthly and the Executive Committee meets more frequently, as needed.  The Association has a staff of 2 professionals headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

The Association has several areas of core competency:  Advocacy and lobbying at state and local levels, conducting conventions, educational events and networking meetings, issuing periodic membership communications, maintaining an fully interactive web site, publishing books and providing legal education and information.

Important among the CSSA’s most recent activities is our legislative success with our amendment to the Lien Statute (AB655) and out defeat of a sales tax bill in 2012 (AB2540). The CSSA plans to lead another legislative effort in the future aimed at further refinement of the Lien Stature.

Please visit our store for a copy of the response letter that the CSSA received on May 4th 2012 from an Attorney for the AOC, confirming that effective January 1, 2011, parties may file in small claims court to enforce liens under the Self-Service Storage Facilities Act, and states that their office will work with the AOC's Education Division to make sure that the small claims courts' judicial officers are better educated about hte changes. The CSSA recommends that this letter be part of any legal documents being taken to small claims court. This letter will verify your right to be in small claim court in the event you experience any problems. 

CSSA membership comprises nearly 500 corporations that own, operate and/or manage some 3,000 self storage facilities in California and the U.S. 

CSSA's Mission and Values

Vision Statement:  "Our mission is to be the California self-storage industry authoritative resource for information, education and technical expertise. We will accomplish this by providing the support and leadership on critical management, land use, consumer and political issues affecting our industry and the State of California."

Board of Directors

The CSSA Board of Directors is comprised of industry leaders from within the CSSA's membership which includes companies of all sizes and vendor firms who support the Association and it's membership. All members of the Board serve on completely volunteer basis and meet monthly in person to discuss the Association business.

CSSA Headquarters Staff

The CSSA is ran by the Executive Director, Erin King, who is supported by the Operations Coordinator, Brenda Lafontaine. Together they manage everything from our State-wide membership database, advocacy and lobbying, meeting planning, communications, educational programs, research, technology tools, membership relations (and member rewards and benefits), association relations, publications & content, and legal information.

Trade Shows and Education

Each year the CSSA holds an Owners Meeting in both Northern and Southern California where our industry professionals gather together for high quality content and networking. Additionally, the CSSA holds a variety of educational and networking events at various venues throughout California each year. For more information on our events please visit our online calendar.

The CSSA Southern California Owners Summit is one of the most anticipated Self Storage owner events each year. This event is targeted toward Self Storage Owners and revolves around Financial and Real Estate topics that relate to the Self Storage Industry in both California and Nationwide. This event is offered in July each year and has sold out more than a week in advance for last three years.

The CSSA Northern California Self Storage Owners event provides an excellent networking experience for owners while offering insight on the state of the industry and other timely topics. This event usually includes legal, marketing and investment topics that relate to the Self Storage Industry in both California and Nationwide.

Publications and the GLOBE Magazine

The CSSA, in partnership with MiniCO, published our first book in 2012 - Greetings from California: Best Practices from the CSSA. This book features a unique collection of Self-Storage insights and knowledge from highly respected group of Self-Storage veterans.

The CSSA also offers a California Standardized Rental Agreement, California Boat/RV Parking Addendum and the California Lien Law Annotated all reviewed by renowned Industry Attorney Carlos Kaslow.

Owner Membership with the CSSA also includes a complimentary subscription to the  SSA Globe magazine; the largest paid-circulation periodical in the self storage industry.

For more information please read our FAQ portion of the website.