Storage Facility Design in Texas, North Carolina & Florida

Storage Facility Design in Texas, North Carolina & Florida: Engineering for Climate & Compliance

As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in North Carolina and Texas, JRH Engineering & Environmental Services delivers tailored solutions for self-storage projects across three of America’s fastest-growing states.

With Texas, Florida, and North Carolina accounting for 38% of all U.S. population growth since 2020 (U.S. Census, 2025), demand for climate-resilient storage facilities has never been higher.

Region-Specific Engineering Challenges

Texas: Conquering Expansive Soils & Extreme Heat

Problem: 60% of Texas lands sit on expansive clay soils that swell up to 12% in volume when wet (Texas ASCE, 2024).JRH Solutions:

• Deep pier foundations: Steel-reinforced concrete piers drilled 15–25 ft below active soil layers

• Heat-resistant roofing: Galvalume steel with 65+ solar reflectance index (SRI)

• Moisture barriers: 6-mil vapor retarders under slabs to prevent soil moisture migration

North Carolina: Coastal Floods & Mountain Slopes

Problem: Eastern NC faces 500-year flood risks, while western slopes see 40+ inch/year rainfall (NC Climate Office, 2025).JRH Solutions:

• Elevated designs: 2-ft freeboard above FEMA flood elevations in coastal zones

• Retaining walls: Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) systems for 30°+ slopes

• Hurricane straps: ASCE 7-22 compliant roof-to-wall connections

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Florida: Hurricane Winds & Saltwater Corrosion

Problem: 140 mph design wind speeds and 1/8" annual salt deposition within 1 mile of coastlines (FBC, 2025).JRH Solutions:

• Wind-rated panels: 29-gauge steel with Kynar 500 coatings

• Flood vents: 1 sq ft/150 sq ft ratio for hydrostatic pressure equalization

• Corrosion protection: Hot-dip galvanized hardware (ASTM A123)

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Optimized Layouts & Durability Features

Space-Maximizing Designs

• Multi-story configurations: 4-story tilt-up concrete achieves 85% space efficiency

• Unit mix optimization: 60% 10x10 units + 25% vehicle storage balances demand

• Drive-through access: 45-ft turning radii for box trucks

  
  

Climate Control Systems

State	Dehumidification	Cooling	Air Changes/Hour
Texas	50% RH threshold	78°F setpoint	4
North Carolina	55% RH	75°F	6
Florida	45% RH	80°F with DOAS	8

Permitting & Environmental Compliance

Texas: Local Variations

• Harris County: Requires 25-year stormwater detention (HCFCD, 2025)

• Expansive soil permits: Geotechnical reports stamped by PE

  
  

North Carolina: Coastal Rules

• CAMA permits: Required for facilities within 75 ft of estuarine shorelines

• Sediment controls: Silt fences with 90%+ retention efficiency

  
  

Florida: Wetland Protections

• ERP permits: Needed for projects impacting 0.5+ acres of wetlands

• Stormwater reuse: 30% runoff retention via bioswales

  
  

Final Thoughts

Designing storage facilities in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida demands localized expertise in soil mechanics, storm resilience, and regulatory navigation.

As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in North Carolina and Texas, JRH Engineering & Environmental Services combines cross-state experience with cutting-edge solutions to deliver facilities that withstand climate challenges while maximizing ROI.

References:

1. Texas ASCE: Expansive Soil Guidelines

2. NC Climate Office: Flood Risk Maps

3. Florida Building Code: Wind Load Standards

4. Harris County Flood Control: Stormwater Manual

5. CAMA Permitting Guide

Citations:

1. https://www.multihousingnews.com/top-emerging-self-storage-markets/

2. https://www.datainsightsmarket.com/reports/north-carolina-self-storage-market-13444

3. https://www.cliggitt.com/self-storage-market-trends-in-florida-a-stronghold-in-a-shifting-industry

4. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/GetStatute.aspx?Code=PR&Value=59.052

5. https://threeoaksengineering.com/coastal-permitting/

6. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/overview.pdf

7. https://www.radiusplus.com/post/2024-texas-self-storage-growth-top-3-markets-to-watch/

8. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/north-carolina-self-storage-market

9. https://www.radiusplus.com/post/florida-self-storage-top-3-markets-with-the-most-growth-in-2023-2024/

10. https://www.grapevinetexas.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=276

11. https://www.carolinabeach.org/business-development/building-and-zoning-permits

12. https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/austin-self-storage-market-development-and-rental-trends/

13. https://www.garlandtx.gov/2164/Accessory-Storage-Building

14. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-self-storage-market

15. https://www.caseydev.com/how-to-build-a-self-storage-facility/

16. https://mctx.org/departments/departments_d_-_f/environmental_health/permitting/shop_-_comm.php

17. https://www.cbreim.com/insights/articles/unlocking-self-storage

18. https://melestoragegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Self-Storage-Market-Trends-Investor-Survey-H1-2024.pdf

19. https://www.credaily.com/briefs/self-storage-faces-challenges-but-shows-signs-of-stabilization/

20. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/north-carolina-self-storage-market/

21. https://www.storagecafe.com/blog/monthly-self-storage-sales-report/

22. https://www.matthews.com/self-storage-industry-trends-2025/

23. https://www.nmrk.com/storage-nmrk/uploads/documents/ALM24_Market-Conditions.pdf

24. https://www.marcusmillichap.com/research/market-report/multiple-markets/southeast-florida--mid-2024-self-storage-market-report

25. https://www.cbreim.com/insights/articles/unpacking-self-storage-a-sector-on-the-move

26. https://listselfstorage.com/industry-insights/q4-2024-self-storage-transactions-trends-regional-insights/

27. https://skyviewadvisors.com/q1-2024-self-storage-reit-report/

28. https://www.karrselfstorage.com/texas-cities-2024-self-storage-investment-forecast/

29. https://library.municode.com/TX/pharr/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH26BU_ARTXISEORMIREFA

30. https://www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/media/1926/download

31. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE606

32. https://www.nhcgov.com/Faq.aspx?TID=20%2C21%2C22%2C23%2C19%2C24

33. https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/AH_I_thru_Appendix_D_Compare_SB7040_Clean.pdf

34. https://www.fatetx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1368/Commercial-Building-Permit-Packet-2024

35. https://www.darenc.gov/departments/planning/building-permits-inspections

36. https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/planning-and-assistance/environmental-regulations/wetlands-regulations/

37. https://www.grapevinetexas.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=106

38. https://www.carolinabeach.org/business-development/do-i-need-a-permit

39. https://library.municode.com/fl/broward_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH27POCO_ARTXIAQWEREPR_S27-333PRAC

40. https://www.austintexas.gov/page/work-exempt-building-permits