Extra yard space at a flex park is basically printing money in this market. And a lot of owners don’t realize how much value it adds.
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Measure actual yard space: Know your square footage and actual usable area, not just what seems available. Utilities, drainage, and property lines reduce rentable space. -
Verify zoning permits: Contact your municipality before marketing outdoor storage. Some areas require conditional use permits; others restrict screening and signage completely. -
Document current condition: Fencing, lighting, and surface condition all affect what rents you can command. Gravel or paved is better than raw dirt for tenant satisfaction and wear. -
Check existing lease language: Some tenant leases restrict use of yard space or limit what can be stored. Existing tenants may have rights that prevent monetization.
Why outdoor storage matters
Contractors have trucks, trailers, pipe, lumber, pavers, equipment. All of that has to go somewhere. If your flex park has fenced outdoor storage, either dedicated to individual units or shared, you can charge for it separately. $2-4/SF per year for outdoor storage is common in the Carolinas. Some parks charge by the spot.
What supports stronger outdoor storage pricing
- Fenced or gated enclosure with controlled access
- Separate dedicated storage bays for each unit tenant
- Gravel or paved surface instead of raw dirt
- Lighting for security and evening use
- Flat, well-drained yard with no utilities overhead
What gives buyers leverage
- Zoning restrictions or conditional use permits required
- Shared yard space causing tenant conflicts over equipment
- Existing tenant leases that restrict yard use
- Poor drainage or standing water in storage area
- Lack of fencing or security measures in place
On a flex park with 10,000 SF of excess yard space, that’s an extra $20K-40K in annual income just from outdoor storage. At a 7.5 cap, that adds $265K-530K to the building’s value. For dirt. Fenced dirt.
What makes good outdoor storage
Fencing is the minimum. Chain link with privacy slats or solid fencing. Some municipalities require screening if the storage area faces a road. Lighting is important for security. A gravel or paved surface is better than raw dirt. And ideally each bay has access to their own storage area rather than a shared yard where everyone’s stuff gets mixed together.
I’ve seen flex parks near Fayetteville where the outdoor storage generates almost as much income per square foot as the indoor space. The military contractor tenants around Fort Liberty have a lot of equipment and they’re willing to pay for secure outdoor storage.
Related: How I Determine My Offer Price
Related: Hold or Sell Your Commercial Property: How to Decide
The zoning angle
Not every jurisdiction allows outdoor storage. Some require conditional use permits. Some have strict screening requirements. Before you start renting out yard space, check your zoning. Code enforcement violations can be expensive and annoying.
For sellers
If your flex park has excess land or yard space that you’re not monetizing, you might be leaving money on the table. Even if you don’t want to set it up yourself, mentioning the potential to a buyer like me adds value to the deal. I know how to monetize outdoor storage and I’ll price that potential into my offer.
Seller takeaway
If your flex park has excess yard space you’re not monetizing, mentioning the potential to a buyer adds real value. Call Roth Capital at 704-600-3839 to discuss how outdoor storage affects your building’s value — especially in markets like Fayetteville and around Fort Liberty where contractor demand is strongest.
Got a flex park with some extra land? Call me. Columbia, Charlotte, anywhere in the Carolinas. 704-600-3839.
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