Expert Public Storage Facility Design Services: Engineering Safe, Efficient, and Code-Compliant Solutions
Updated: Oct 15
Why Choose JRH Engineering
Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH
Most engineering firms talk about technical capability.
We focus on what actually matters to your project: speed, cost, communication, and results.
Faster Project Turnaround
Our streamlined processes and efficient team structure mean shorter design and permitting timelines — without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
Clear & Responsive Communication
You work directly with engineers who keep you informed.
No long delays or unanswered emails — just straightforward updates and quick responses.
Proven Results Across Three States
We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects for developers, contractors, and owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
Check out JRH’s case studies.
Licensed & Certified Professionals
Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers.
JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.
What Goes Into Public Storage Facility Design
Rentable square footage, drainage, fire separation, accessibility and wind all shape a self-storage layout, from the site plan to the foundation.
JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.
JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.
Site and Civil Design
Layout: building placement, drive aisles, turning room for trucks and fire apparatus, and gate locations
Paving: sections sized for moving trucks
Drainage: large roofs and paved aisles create a lot of runoff, so detention pond sizing often drives how much land is left for buildings
Utilities: water, sewer or septic (septic design by others) and fire service lines
Structural Design
Single-story buildings: often pre-engineered metal buildings on slab foundations; JRH designs PEMB foundations up to 120,000 square feet, and the frame is designed by the manufacturer
Multi-story and climate-controlled buildings: heavier loads need coordinated framing and foundations
Wind: light metal buildings need anchorage that resists uplift, especially on the coast
Every foundation is designed from a geotechnical report (by others).
Code Items to Plan Early
Occupancy: self-storage is generally classified as Group S-1 under the International Building Code
Fire protection: sprinkler requirements depend on fire area size, number of stories and local amendments; sprinkler and fire alarm design is by others
Accessibility: the 2010 ADA Standards require a share of storage spaces to be accessible: 5% for facilities with 200 or fewer spaces, and 10 plus 2% of spaces over 200 for larger facilities
Rules to Know by State
Texas: sites disturbing 1 acre or more need TCEQ construction stormwater coverage, and Houston-area sites often fall under IDMS-2025-01 detention pond criteria
North Carolina: erosion control plans for more than 1 acre need approval under G.S. 113A-57
Florida: FDEP or a water management district issues Environmental Resource Permits for stormwater systems
Project: Castle Road Self-Storage Complex, Waller, TX
Multi-building self-storage complex in Waller, Harris County
Drainage approval through Harris County
Read the full Castle Road case study
Challenges
An existing drainage channel ran through the middle of the site
A traditional gravity detention pond would have taken rentable land
Objectives
Clear the interior of the site for storage buildings.
Shrink the detention pond footprint.
Solutions JRH Engineering Provided
Full site civil engineering: building layout, grading, paving and access
Rerouted the drainage channel to the property perimeter
Designed a pumped detention pond system in place of gravity detention pond storage
Results:
Interior site fully cleared for storage buildings
Smaller detention pond footprint and more rentable square footage
Storage Facility Resources for Texas, North Carolina and Florida
Texas
North Carolina
See G.S. 113A-57.
Florida
See FDEP’s Environmental Resource Permitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually limits rentable area on a storage site?
Drainage, setbacks and drive aisle widths.
Does JRH design storage building foundations?
Yes, including PEMB foundations up to 120,000 square feet.
Does JRH design sprinkler systems?
No, sprinkler and fire alarm design is by others.
How many accessible storage units are required?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards, 5% for 200 or fewer spaces, more for larger facilities.
When does a Texas storage site need a stormwater permit?
When construction disturbs 1 acre or more.
Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?
No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.
Want More Information on this Topic?
Call JRH Engineering at (800) 227-9635
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This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.
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