Self storage lien laws by state

By [AUTHOR NAME] · Reviewed by [REVIEWER NAME], [ROLE] · Review date [YYYY-MM-DD]

Not legal advice. This summary may be out of date. Read the current statute and talk to a lawyer licensed in your state before you deny access, send a lien notice or hold a sale.

Laws change. Each row was read against the official statute on the date shown, and the whole table is pending attorney review. "Verified by attorney: No" means a lawyer has not yet checked that row.

Every state sets its own rules for what an operator must do before selling a delinquent tenant's goods. A storage unit lien is the operator's right, set by state statute, to hold and eventually sell stored property for unpaid rent and charges. This page summarizes each state's self storage lien statute: the notices you must send, how you must send them, how a sale must be advertised and how long you must wait. Always read the statute itself before you act.

How to use this table

Find your state and follow the statute link to the official legislature or code site. Read the full text before you act. The columns are a starting point for your checklist, not a replacement for the law.

Rows marked "To be researched" have not been checked yet. Do not treat a blank row as "no requirement".

State-by-state summary

Self storage lien law summary by state
State	Statute	Notice requirements	Notice method	Sale advertising	Waiting period	Last verified	Verified by attorney
Alabama	Ala. Code §§ 8-15-40, 8-15-43 to 8-15-47 (sale: § 8-15-46)	Notice of default: lien statement, itemized claim and future charges, payment demand (10+ days), sale warning, operator contact.	Verified mail or email to last known address; verified mail if email bounces. Also to lienholders named in rental agreement.	Once in county newspaper 7+ days before sale; any commercially reasonable manner if no newspaper or contents worth $500 or less.	Default 30+ days before sale. Notice 20+ days before sale. Ad 7+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Alaska	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
Arizona	A.R.S. § 33-1704	First notice of default; second notice with lien statement, itemized claim, payment demand (14+ days), sale time and place, operator contact.	First notice by verified mail or email; second notice by first-class mail. Verified mail to lienholders 10+ days before sale.	No advertising requirement in § 33-1704. Sale with 5+ unrelated bidders is deemed commercially reasonable.	Default 30+ days. Second notice 7+ days after first. Payment deadline 14+ days after second notice.	2026-10-24	No
Arkansas	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
California	Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 21700-21716	Preliminary lien notice (itemized claim, termination date, contact), then notice of lien sale with blank declaration in opposition form.	Certified mail, first-class mail with certificate of mailing, or email (per § 21712), to last known and alternative address.	Two weeks in local newspaper, or once in newspaper plus 7 days on an auction website. Postings if no newspaper.	Preliminary notice after 14 days unpaid; termination 14+ days later. Sale notice gives 14+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Colorado	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
Connecticut	Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-159 to 42-169	Itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice, payment demand (14+ days), sale date, time and place.	In person, email, or registered/certified mail with USPS tracking. Certified mail if email not opened within 7 days.	Optional: once in print or online newspaper, or independent auction website, within 10 days before sale.	Payment demand 14+ days. Sale 10+ days after ad and 60+ days after default.	2026-10-24	No
Delaware	25 Del. C. §§ 4901-4905	Itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice, payment demand (30+ days), sale warning. Must also contact emergency contact.	In person, verified mail, certified mail, or email (if consented in agreement); mail if no email delivery receipt.	Once a week for 2 weeks in county newspaper (print or online) or on a public online auction website.	Payment demand 30+ days after notice. Sale 30+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Florida	Fla. Stat. §§ 83.801-83.809 (sale: § 83.806)	Itemized claim, property description, payment demand (14+ days), sale warning, owner contact. Also posted at facility or unit.	In person, email, or first-class mail with certificate of mailing. Mail if no email response or delivery confirmation.	Once a week for 2 weeks in local newspaper; sale may be on auction website. Postings if no newspaper.	Payment demand 14+ days after notice. Sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Georgia	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
Hawaii	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 507-65 (see also §§ 507-63, 507-64, 507-66)	Three notices: default and lien notice, notice of lien, then final demand and sale notice with itemized claim and proceeds terms.	Default and lien notices to email and postal address. Final demand by certified mail plus email.	Newspaper once a week for 2 weeks, or other commercially reasonable manner with 3+ independent bidders.	Default notice after 15 days unpaid. Lien notice 15+ days. Final notice 30+ days before sale. Ad 15+ days after final notice.	2026-10-24	No
Idaho	Idaho Code §§ 55-2301 to 55-2309 (sale: § 55-2306)	Lienholder contact, itemized claim, payment demand (10+ days), sale time and place, goods description, denial-of-access notice.	Certified mail or as provided in rental agreement; mail to disclosed secured parties.	No advertising requirement in § 55-2306. Sale may be online, at facility, or elsewhere.	Sale after 60 days of continuous default. Payment demand 10+ days.	2026-10-24	No
Illinois	770 ILCS 95/1 et seq. (sale: 95/4)	Itemized claim, facility details, sale date/time/place/manner (incl. website), denial-of-access notice, payment demand (14+ days), sale warning.	In person, or verified mail or email to last known address. Verified mail if no email delivery receipt.	Once a week for 2 weeks in local newspaper. Postings in 6 places if no newspaper.	Payment demand 14+ days. Sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Indiana	Ind. Code 26-3-8 (sale: 26-3-8-12, -14)	Itemized claim, payment demand (30+ days after mailing), lien statement, denial-of-access and removal statements.	Email or verified mail to last known address.	Once in county newspaper before sale, or other commercially reasonable manner likely to draw 3+ independent bidders.	Enforcement after 5+ days of default. Payment deadline 30+ days after notice.	2026-10-24	No
Iowa	Iowa Code ch. 578A (sale: § 578A.7)	Itemized claim, property description, payment demand (14+ days), sale warning, operator contact. Notify known secured parties.	Hand delivery, verified mail, or email (if agreed in rental agreement). Mail if email bounces.	Commercially reasonable manner 7+ days before sale (likely to draw 3+ independent bidders).	Default 30+ days. Payment demand 14+ days. Ad 7+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Kansas	K.S.A. 58-817	First notice of default; second notice with lien statement, itemized claim, payment demand (10+ days), sale or tow warning, contact.	First-class mail, plus email if occupant gave one.	Newspaper classified section or other commercially reasonable manner, 7+ days before sale. Needs 3+ independent bidders.	Default 45+ days. Second notice 7+ days after first. Payment demand 10+ days.	2026-10-24	No
Kentucky	KRS 359.200-359.250 (sale: 359.230)	First default notice; second notice with lien statement, itemized claim, payment demand (14+ days), sale time and place, contact.	First notice by regular or verified email; second by verified mail or verified email.	Newspaper or other commercially reasonable manner (3+ independent bidders), 3+ days before sale.	Default 45+ days. Payment demand 14+ days. Ad 3+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Louisiana	La. R.S. 9:4759	Itemized claim, denial-of-access notice with owner contact, payment demand (10+ days), privilege and sale warning.	In person, or verified mail plus email to address in rental agreement.	At least once in local newspaper or on a public auction website.	Payment demand 10+ days. Ad 10+ days after mailing or demand date. Sale 10+ days after ad.	2026-10-24	No
Maine	10 M.R.S. § 1375	Lien statement, itemized claim and future charges, payment demand (14+ days), sale time and place, operator contact.	Verified mail plus first-class mail or email.	No advertising requirement in § 1375. Sale at facility, nearby, or online.	Default 45+ days. Payment demand 14+ days. Sale 15+ days after notice.	2026-10-24	No
Maryland	Md. Code, Com. Law § 18-504	Default notice: lien statement, itemized claim and future charges, payment demand (14+ days), sale time and place, contact. Separate sale notice.	Hand delivery, verified mail, or email (only if initialed bold clause). Verified mail if no email response or confirmation.	Newspaper, email, or online website, 3+ days before sale.	Default 60+ days. Payment demand 14+ days. Sale notice 10+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Massachusetts	M.G.L. c. 105A (sale: § 4)	Lien statement, contents description, itemized claim, payment demand (14+ days), auction time and place, operator contact.	First notice by regular mail or email; second by email, verified mail, or hand delivery. Verified mail if no email confirmation.	Once a week for 2 weeks in newspaper or weekly periodical, or other commercially reasonable manner (3+ bidders).	First notice 5+ days after default. Second 14+ days after. Sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Michigan	MCL 570.525	Itemized claim, payment demand (14+ days), sale warning, owner contact, servicemember rights statement.	In person, first-class mail, or email to last known address.	Once a week for 2 weeks in newspaper (print or online) or on website named in rental agreement. Postings if neither.	Payment demand 14+ days. Sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Minnesota	Minn. Stat. §§ 514.970-514.979 (sale: § 514.973)	Amount owed, payment demand (14+ days), denial-of-access date and terms, court remedy statement, contact, sale time and place, free-removal items.	In person or verified mail. Email only with written consent and verified delivery.	Once a week for 2 weeks in newspaper; independent website if no qualified newspaper.	Sale 45+ days after default (60 for vehicles/watercraft). Payment demand 14+ days. Sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Mississippi	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
Missouri	RSMo §§ 415.400-415.425 (sale: § 415.415)	First default notice; second notice with lien statement, itemized claim, payment demand (10+ days), sale warning, contact.	First notice by first-class mail or email; second by verified mail or email.	Newspaper classified section in jurisdiction of sale, 7+ days before sale.	Default 45+ days. First notice 45+ days before disposition. Second notice 10+ days after first.	2026-10-24	No
Montana	Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-6-601 to 70-6-609 (sale: § 70-6-607)	Default notice: lien statement, claim, payment demand and deadline, sale warning, contact. Separate notice of sale date, time, place.	Verified mail or email (if renter provided one).	County newspaper, or other commercially reasonable manner (3+ attendees or viewers), 7+ days before sale.	Default 60+ days. Default notice 30+ days before sale. Sale notice and ad 7+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Nebraska	Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1601 to 76-1609	Notice of default: lien statement, itemized claim, demand to pay within 10+ days, sale warning, operator contact.	Verified mail or email.	Advertise time, place, terms 7+ days before sale in any commercially reasonable manner; copy to lienholders of record.	Default 45+ days before enforcement; notice 45+ days before sale; ad 7+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Nevada	NRS 108.473 to 108.4783	Termination notice: itemized amount, owner contact, termination date, lien warning. Sale notice: lien amount, sale date, opposition declaration form.	Verified mail or email (if no email receipt, also verified mail), to last known and alternate address.	Newspaper in judicial district once in week before sale; if none, post 10 days prior in 6 places or public website.	Deny access at 10 days unpaid; termination notice 14+ days after 14 days unpaid; sale notice 14+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
New Hampshire	RSA 451-C	Sale notice: lien statement, contents description, itemized claim, demand to pay within 14+ days, sale date/time/place, owner contact.	Preliminary notice by first class mail or email; sale notice in person, email, or verified mail.	No ad requirement stated; sale may be in person, online, or on a public website.	First notice 5+ days after default; sale notice 14+ days after default; sale after 30 days unpaid.	2026-10-24	No
New Jersey	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
New Mexico	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
New York	N.Y. Lien Law § 182	Itemized amount due, property description, demand to pay in 30+ days, sale warning, sale time and place, right to contest within 10 days.	Personal delivery; registered or certified mail; or verified mail plus email (if occupant consented).	To be researched	Payment demand 30+ days from mailing; 10 days to dispute lien.	2026-10-24	No
North Carolina	N.C.G.S. §§ 44A-40 to 44A-46	Lien notice: lien asserted, amount, intent to sell, property description, right to hearing within 10 days. Separate sale notice.	Lien notice first-class mail or verified email (if elected); sale notice certified mail or verified email.	Publish 5+ days before sale in county newspaper or any commercially reasonable manner.	Enforce after 15 days unpaid; 10-day hearing window; sale notice 20+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
North Dakota	N.D.C.C. ch. 35-33	Notice of default: lien and denial of access, facility/space/occupant, charges and default date, demand to pay in 10+ days, bold sale warning, owner contact.	In person, verified mail, or email.	Advertise time, place, terms 7+ days before sale in a commercially reasonable manner.	Pay demand 10+ days after notice; ad 7+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Ohio	R.C. 5322.01 to 5322.04	Occupant name/address, itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice, demand to pay in 10+ days, conspicuous sale warning, sale location.	In person, certified mail, or first-class mail with certificate of mailing; email only if agreed and receipt confirmed.	Once a week for 2 weeks in county newspaper or other commercially reasonable manner.	Pay demand 10+ days after delivery; sale 15+ days after first publication.	2026-10-24	No
Oklahoma	42 O.S. §§ 191 to 200	Itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice with owner contact, demand to pay in 15+ days, conspicuous sale warning.	In person or verified mail; email if agreed in rental agreement (verified mail if email bounces). Lienholders by verified mail.	Once in county newspaper after notice period; if none, post 10 days prior in 6 places plus adjoining-county paper.	No enforcement until 30 days in default; pay demand 15+ days; sale 15+ days after publication.	2026-10-24	No
Oregon	ORS 87.685 to 87.695	Itemized claim, storage space ID, denial of access, demand to pay no earlier than 30 days after default, sale warning, owner contact.	Registered, certified or other verified mail, or email.	If value over $1,000: newspaper once a week for 2 weeks (or post in 6 places); may list on auction website. $1,000 or less: owner may dispose.	Pay deadline 30+ days after default; sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Pennsylvania	12 Pa.C.S. Ch. 56 (Act 51 of 2025)	Itemized claim, demand to pay in 30+ days, lien statement, owner contact, bold sale warning (sale 30+ days after notice), any denial/removal.	Personal service, verified mail, certified mail RRR, or email (if consented in bold in agreement).	Newspaper twice before sale, or once in newspaper plus public auction website; if no paper, post 10 days prior in 6 places.	Enforce after 30 days default; pay demand 30+ days; sale 10+ days after first publication.	2026-10-24	No
Rhode Island	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-42-4	1st notice: balance due reminder. 2nd notice: claim, denial-of-access right, property description, demand to pay in 14+ days, sale warning, owner contact.	In person, regular mail, or verified email.	Once a week for 2 weeks on public website named in agreement/notice, or once in local newspaper.	1st notice 5+ days after default; 2nd 14+ days; sale 60+ days after default and 15+ days after final ad.	2026-10-24	No
South Carolina	S.C. Code §§ 39-20-10 to 39-20-50	Property description, claim and due date, demand to pay in 14+ days, sale warning, partial-payment warning, denial-of-access notice with owner contact.	In person, personal delivery service, first-class mail with certificate of mailing, certified mail, or email (receipt confirmed).	After 50-day default: once a week for 2 weeks in local newspaper.	Notice at 14+ days past due; pay demand 14+ days; enforce after 50 days continuous default.	2026-10-24	No
South Dakota	SDCL § 44-14-3	Itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice with owner contact, demand to pay in 14+ days, conspicuous sale warning.	In person, email (if in rental agreement), or first-class mail.	Once in local newspaper after notice period; if none, post 10 days prior in 6 places.	Pay demand 14+ days after delivery; sale 7+ days after publication.	2026-10-24	No
Tennessee	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	To be researched	No
Texas	Tex. Prop. Code ch. 59	Itemized claim, lessor contact, seizure statement, 14-day sale/tow warning, bold military-service request.	In person, verified mail, or email (if bold/underlined in rental agreement).	Once a week for 2 weeks in county newspaper; if none, post at facility and 5+ nearby places.	Ad after 14 days from notice; sale 15+ days after first publication (10+ days after posting).	2026-10-24	No
Utah	Utah Code § 38-8-3	Itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice, owner contact, demand to pay in 15+ days, conspicuous sale/disposal warning.	In person, certified mail, or email (if no confirmation in 3 business days, in person or certified mail).	Once in county newspaper, unless notice was confirmed by email or certified mail.	Enforce after 30 days continuous default; pay demand 15+ days; sale 15+ days after ad.	2026-10-24	No
Vermont	9 V.S.A. § 3905	2nd notice: itemized claim, property description, denial-of-access notice, demand to pay in 15+ days, conspicuous sale warning.	1st: regular mail or email. 2nd: certified mail, first-class with certificate of mailing, or email (mail if unconfirmed in 2 days).	Once a week for 2 weeks in print or online newspaper, or any commercially reasonable manner.	1st notice 7+ days after default; 2nd 14+ days later; pay 15+ days; sale 15+ days after first ad.	2026-10-24	No
Virginia	Va. Code § 55.1-2902	Further notice: itemized claim, demand to pay in 20+ days, lien statement, conspicuous auction warning with time/place, owner contact.	Default notice by regular mail; further notice by verified mail; email if in rental agreement.	To be researched	Further notice after 10 days default; pay demand 20+ days after notice.	2026-10-24	No
Washington	RCW 19.150	Preliminary lien notice: itemized claim, termination date (14+ days), denial-of-access/lien warning, owner contact. Final notice: lien amount, sale date, proceeds rules.	Preliminary: first-class mail or email. Final: personal service, verified mail, or email (verified mail if no email receipt).	No ad requirement stated; sale of property worth $300+ must be commercially reasonable.	Preliminary notice after 14 days unpaid; sale 14+ days after final notice and 42+ days after default.	2026-10-24	No
West Virginia	W. Va. Code § 38-14-5	Lien statement, itemized claim and future charges, demand to pay in 14+ days, sale time and place, operator contact.	Hand delivery, verified mail, or email/text (if initialed in agreement; verified mail if unconfirmed).	3+ days before sale: local newspaper, or email or online website (if initialed in agreement).	Enforce after 60+ days default; pay demand 14+ days; ad 3+ days before sale.	2026-10-24	No
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. § 704.90	1st: default and denial-of-access notice, operator contact. 2nd: lien statement, itemized claim, demand to pay in 14+ days, sale date/time/place.	1st: regular mail or email. 2nd: verified mail or email. Email only with confirmed receipt.	Once in local newspaper.	Pay demand 14+ days after 2nd notice; sale 15+ days after publication.	2026-10-24	No
Wyoming	W.S. 29-7-101 to 29-7-106 (general lien)	Amount due, nature of proposed sale, time and place of any public sale.	Certified mail, return receipt requested, to all known claimants.	No ad requirement stated; sale must be commercially reasonable.	To be researched	2026-10-24	No

What each column means

Before you rely on a row

checklist

When the law changes

States amend these statutes, and several have moved notices and sale advertising online. Each row shows the date it was last read against the statute. We update rows as we re-check them, and the date moves only when we do.

Frequently asked questions

What is a storage unit lien?

It is the operator's right, under a state self-service storage statute, to hold and sell a tenant's stored property for unpaid rent and charges. The rules for using it are in your state's statute, linked in the table.

When can I place a lien on a storage unit?

Your state's statute sets when the lien attaches and what notices must come before a sale. Find your state in the table and read the linked statute. See handling delinquent tenants for the steps before the lien process.

Does my rental agreement matter to the lien?

Yes. Many statutes tie lien rights to terms in the rental agreement. Check yours against the statute with rental agreement clauses.

Has an attorney checked this table?

Not yet. The "Verified by attorney" column shows "No" until a lawyer reviews each row, and the page stays a draft until then.