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What not to put in a storage unit in Georgia

The short answer

Georgia's standard storage rental terms bar explosives, highly flammable goods and anything that endangers the space, and Georgia law says no one may live in a storage unit. Facilities add their own lists: food, plants, animals, hazardous materials and, for vehicles, anything not running, registered and insured. Valuables and important papers are safer elsewhere.

Last checked October 19, 2026

An old gray plank barn with a rusted metal roof, open slatted bays and a lean-to shed sits on a grassy rise beside pines and spring hardwoods, with a utility pole and guy wires to the right and rough grass in the foreground.
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0

What Georgia’s rules say

  • The statutory rental agreement language in O.C.G.A. 10-4-213(a) has the occupant agree to store only their own personal property and not to store explosives, highly inflammable goods, or other goods that would cause danger to the space, nor use the space for unlawful purposes. Justia – O.C.G.A. 10-4-213 (2025 Georgia Code)
  • O.C.G.A. 10-4-216(a) says no occupant shall use a self-service storage facility for residential purposes, and 10-4-216(b) says laws on bonded public warehousemen do not apply to self-storage owners. Justia – O.C.G.A. 10-4-216 (2025)

What facilities add

  • Public Storage tells customers not to store prohibited, wet, perishable, hazardous, illegal, or restricted items, including food, plants or animals, flammable items, explosives, items that release fumes, important documents or high-dollar items, and non-operating or improperly documented vehicles. It says its rental agreements contain the full restrictions list and that units may not be used as a living space or business address. Public Storage – What Can You Not Store in a Storage Unit? (updated Aug 27, 2026)
  • Public Storage says vehicles may be stored only if they are operating, registered, and insured and kept in an approved vehicle storage space. Public Storage – What Can You Not Store in a Storage Unit?

Every facility’s rental agreement has its own list. Read it before you sign, and ask about anything you are unsure of: paint, propane tanks, gasoline in a mower, firearms or ammunition, and anything alive.

Getting rid of what you do not store

  • Lumpkin County's Transfer Station is at 490 Barlow Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533, open Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (last weigh-in 4:15 PM), cash and local checks only. Posted fees are $1.00 small bag, $2.00 large bag, $60.00 per ton with a $15.00 minimum (500 lbs or less), and $5.00 extra for bulk items such as mattresses and furniture; paint, yard debris, and hazardous material are not accepted. Phone 706-864-6338. Lumpkin County – Solid Waste and Recycling
  • Lumpkin County's free Recycling Center, also at 490 Barlow Rd, Dahlonega (Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-4:30 PM), takes sorted, clean cardboard, mixed paper, plastics #1 and #2, scrap metal, aluminum, and glass. It does not take paint, tires, yard debris, batteries, Styrofoam, plastic bags, or coated or food-soiled cardboard. Lumpkin County – Solid Waste and Recycling

Questions

What can't you put in a storage unit?

Georgia's statutory rental agreement language bars explosives, highly flammable goods and anything that would endanger the space. Operators add their own lists. Public Storage, for example, prohibits food, plants or animals, flammables, items that give off fumes, hazardous or illegal items, and non-operating or unregistered vehicles. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 10-4-216) also forbids living in a storage unit.

Source: Public Storage; O.C.G.A. 10-4-213 and 10-4-216 (Justia)

Where do I take moving trash and old furniture in Lumpkin County?

Lumpkin County's Transfer Station at 490 Barlow Road is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and takes cash and local checks only. Posted fees are $60 a ton with a $15 minimum, plus $5 for bulky items like mattresses and furniture. Paint, yard debris and hazardous materials are not accepted. A free recycling center at the same address takes sorted cardboard, metal and glass.

Source: Lumpkin County Solid Waste and Recycling

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Lumpkin County Government

Moving or selling

Storing things because you are moving to, from or within Dahlonega? Talk to people who sell homes here.

Gold Peach Realty is the Dahlonega brokerage behind this guide. Most people rent a unit here because a move is under way: a home on the market, a new one not ready yet, or a downsizing. Our agents can help with the house part.

Visit Gold Peach Realty Call Gold Peach Realty (770) 283-1223

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