This is general information, not legal advice. Review every notice and ad with your attorney.
Stitch Storage reviewed the statute in each state, and the most common storage auction ad rule is a newspaper ad, often once a week for two consecutive weeks. Of the 51 verified jurisdictions, 20 require a newspaper ad (2 of them let one ad run on a website), 8 let an online auction website replace it, 14 accept any commercially reasonable manner and 9 set no ad medium.
Timing is just as mixed: some states run the ad after the notice period, others only fix a number of days before the sale. The table below comes from the same statute research behind our state lien law pages and the free lien timeline calculator. Verified on 2026-10-25: the Alaska, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska and New Mexico rows, read from the official statute text. Verified on 2026-10-23: Pennsylvania's ad rule, 12 Pa.C.S. § 5608(a), against the enacted text of Act 51 of 2025. To download every state in one file, see the lien law dataset.
Storage auction advertising requirements by state: all 50 states and DC
| State | Where to advertise | How often and when | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Newspaper of general circulation in the county. Any commercially reasonable manner if there is no county newspaper or the contents are worth $500 or less | Once, at least 7 days before the sale | Ala. Code § 8-15-46(b)(2) |
| Alaska | Posting in three public places in the recording district. No newspaper or online ad requirement in the general storage lien | Posted for 10 days before the sale | AS 34.35.175(d) |
| Arizona | No ad rule found in the statute | Not applicable | A.R.S. § 33-1704 |
| Arkansas | Newspaper of general circulation in the county, or any commercially reasonable manner (deemed reasonable with at least 3 independent bidders) | At least 7 days before the sale | Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-407(b)(2) |
| California | Newspaper of general circulation, or one newspaper ad plus one ad on a website that customarily conducts online auctions. If no newspaper, post in 6 or more conspicuous places | After the notice of lien sale period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, or once in the newspaper plus once online (online ad up 7 days before sale). Posting at least 10 days before the sale | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21707(a) |
| Colorado | Periodical that circulates weekly or more often in the county, or any other commercially reasonable manner (deemed reasonable if at least 3 independent bidders attend) | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks (periodical) | C.R.S. § 38-21.5-103(1)(e) |
| Connecticut | Print or online newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, or a publicly accessible independent website that regularly conducts online auctions | After the payment period in the notice expires: at least once within a period not less than 10 days before the sale | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-164(a) |
| Delaware | Print or electronic newspaper of general circulation in the county, or a publicly accessible independent auction website | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | 25 Del. C. § 4904(c) |
| District of Columbia | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held, or a publicly accessible website that regularly advertises or conducts property sales | At least 3 days before the sale | D.C. Code § 40-404(b)(3) |
| Florida | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is | After the notice period expires (at least 14 days after delivery): once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Earliest first publication is day 14, counted from notice delivery | Fla. Stat. § 83.806(4) |
| Georgia | Legal organ of the county where the facility is located | After the notice period expires (at least 14 days after delivery): once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Earliest first publication is about day 44 from the rent due date (30 days of default plus the 14-day notice period) | O.C.G.A. § 10-4-213 |
| Hawaii | Newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district, or another commercially reasonable manner if at least 3 independent bidders participate | No sooner than 15 days after the final demand is sent: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 507-65, 507-66(a) |
| Idaho | No ad rule in the statute | The sale must follow the time and place in the notice | Idaho Code § 55-2306(2)(d), (4)(a) |
| Illinois | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located. If none, post in 6 or more conspicuous places nearby | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | 770 ILCS 95/4(E) |
| Indiana | Newspaper of general circulation in the county, or any other commercially reasonable manner (must be likely to attract at least 3 independent bidders) | After the notice period expires: once, with the sale at least 10 days after the first ad | Ind. Code § 26-3-8-14(b), (c), (d) |
| Iowa | Any commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if likely to attract at least 3 independent bidders in person or online) | At least 7 days before the sale | Iowa Code § 578A.7(2)(b) |
| Kansas | Classified section of a newspaper, or another commercially reasonable manner | At least 7 days before the sale. If fewer than 3 independent bidders attend or view online, the sale is canceled, rescheduled and readvertised | K.S.A. 58-817(b)(3) |
| Kentucky | Newspaper of general circulation, or another commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if at least 3 independent bidders participate or attend) | At least 3 days before the sale | KRS 359.230(2)(c) |
| Louisiana | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located, or a publicly accessible website that regularly advertises or conducts personal property auctions or sales | At least once, and at least 10 days after mailing of the notice or the payment-demand date, whichever is later. Sale at least 10 days after publication | La. R.S. 9:4759(5), (6) |
| Maine | No ad rule found in the statute | Not applicable | 10 M.R.S. §§ 1371-1378 |
| Maryland | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held, email, or an online website | At least 3 days before the sale. Separately, notify the occupant of the sale at least 10 days before | Md. Code, Com. Law § 18-504(b)(4), (5) |
| Massachusetts | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held. If none, post in 6 or more conspicuous places nearby | After the notification period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Sale at least 15 days after the first ad. Posting at least 10 days before the sale where there is no newspaper | M.G.L. c. 106, § 7-210(b)(5) |
| Michigan | Newspaper of general circulation (print or electronic), or a website identified in the rental agreement. If neither is available, post in at least 3 conspicuous places nearby | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | MCL 570.525(5)-(7) |
| Minnesota | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held. A public website for self-storage lien sales or public notices only if there is no qualified newspaper | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Sale no sooner than 15 days after first publication | Minn. Stat. 514.973 subd. 4(b) |
| Mississippi | Any commercially reasonable manner (deemed reasonable if likely to attract at least 3 independent bidders to attend or view the sale in person or online) | After the notice period (at least 14 days) expires, with the sale at least 15 days after publication | Miss. Code Ann. § 85-7-125(c), (d) |
| Missouri | Classified section of a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction of the sale | At least 7 days before the sale | RSMo § 415.415(4)(3) |
| Montana | Newspaper of general circulation in the county, or any other commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if at least 3 persons attend or view) | At least 7 days before the sale. Also send notice of the sale date by verified mail or email at least 7 days before | MCA § 70-6-607(3)(b)-(c) |
| Nebraska | Newspaper of general circulation in the county of sale if the property is worth $2,000 or more. If none, post in 6 or more conspicuous places | Once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Sale no sooner than 10 days after first publication, last publication at least 5 days before the sale | Neb. Rev. Stat. 69-2308(2)-(3) |
| Nevada | Newspaper of general circulation in the judicial district of the sale. If none, post in 6 conspicuous places or on a publicly accessible website | At least once in the week immediately before the sale. Posting 10 days before the sale | NRS 108.477(2)-(4) |
| New Hampshire | No ad rule found in the statute | Not applicable | RSA 451-C:8, 451-C:11 |
| New Jersey | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located. If none, post in at least 6 conspicuous places nearby | After the time given in the notice expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | N.J.S.A. 2A:44-191(e) |
| New Mexico | Newspaper of general circulation in the county. If none, post in at least 6 conspicuous places nearby. An online-only ad is not authorized | After the time in the notice of intent expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Sale at least 15 days after the first ad. Posting at least 10 days before the sale where there is no newspaper | NMSA 48-11-7(E) |
| New York | No medium set. The notice says the goods "will be advertised for sale," but the statute prescribes no medium, frequency or timing. The sale must be commercially reasonable | Not set | N.Y. Lien Law 182(7)(a), 182(8) |
| North Carolina | Newspaper of general circulation in the county of sale, or any other commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if at least 3 independent bidders attend) | Not less than 5 days before the sale | N.C. Gen. Stat. 44A-43(c)(1a) |
| North Dakota | Any commercially reasonable manner (satisfied if at least 3 independent bidders attend in person or online) | At least 7 days before the sale | N.D. Cent. Code 35-33-05(2) |
| Ohio | Newspaper of general circulation in the county, or any other commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if at least 3 independent bidders register for, view or attend) | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | Ohio Rev. Code 5322.03(G) |
| Oklahoma | Newspaper of general circulation in the county. If none, post in at least 6 conspicuous places and publish once in a legal newspaper in an adjoining county | Once, after the time given in the notice expires. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | 42 O.S. 197(F)-(G) |
| Oregon | Newspaper of general circulation in the city or county, if you believe the value exceeds $1,000. No ad needed if the value is $1,000 or less based on your previous experience. If no newspaper, post in at least 6 conspicuous places | After the notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | ORS 87.691(1)-(2) |
| Pennsylvania | Newspaper of general circulation serving the area (twice), or once in the newspaper plus once on a publicly accessible website that regularly advertises or conducts online sales. If no newspaper, post in at least 6 conspicuous places | After the notice period expires. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | 12 Pa.C.S. 5608(a)-(c) |
| Rhode Island | Publicly accessible website identified in the rental agreement or a later notice, or in lieu, a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town | After the second notice period expires unpaid: website once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, or newspaper once | R.I. Gen. Laws 34-42-4(d) |
| South Carolina | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located | After the 50-day default period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks | S.C. Code 39-20-45(A), (E), (F) |
| South Dakota | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located. If none, post in at least 6 conspicuous places nearby | Once, after the notice period expires. Posting at least 10 days before the sale | SDCL 44-14-3(4), (5) |
| Tennessee | Any commercially reasonable manner (deemed so if at least 3 potential bidders participate in the sale). One newspaper ad is permitted but not required | After the time stated in the notice expires. No minimum days before the sale stated | Tenn. Code Ann. 66-31-105(2)(F) |
| Texas | Newspaper of general circulation in the county. If none, post at the facility and at least 5 other conspicuous nearby locations | Once in each of 2 consecutive weeks, if the tenant has not satisfied the claim by the 14th day after delivery (earliest day 15) | Tex. Prop. Code 59.042(b), 59.044 |
| Utah | Newspaper of general circulation in the county | Once, after the notice period (15 days minimum) expires. Not required if the notice went by email and a response or return receipt was received, or by certified mail with evidence of mailing | Utah Code 38-8-3(7) |
| Vermont | Print or electronic newspaper of general circulation where the facility is located, or any commercially reasonable advertising (deemed so if 3 or more independent bidders attend or view). If no newspaper, post at town hall | After the second-notice period expires: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Town hall posting at least 15 days before the sale | 9 V.S.A. § 3905(3) |
| Virginia | No ad rule found in the statute | Not applicable | Va. Code §§ 55.1-2900 to 55.1-2905 |
| Washington | No ad rule found in the statute. The sale must be a public sale in a commercially reasonable manner | Not applicable | RCW 19.150.010(1), .080(2)(a) |
| West Virginia | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held, email, or an online website (email and website only if the occupant initialed the rental agreement statement) | At least 3 days before the sale | W. Va. Code 38-14-5(b)(4), 38-14-3(c)(3) |
| Wisconsin | Newspaper of general circulation where the facility or unit is located | Once. Sale not sooner than 15 days after publication. Placement relative to the 14-day demand period is not expressly stated | Wis. Stat. 704.90(6)(a)4.-6. |
| Wyoming | No ad rule on the default route in § 29-7-105(b), which allows a public or private sale at a commercially reasonable time, place and terms after certified mail notice. A newspaper of general circulation where the sale is to be held (if none, post in at least 6 conspicuous places) applies only if you use the warehouse procedure that § 29-7-105(h) allows | Default route: no ad. Warehouse route: once a week for 2 consecutive weeks after the notice period expires, with posting at least 10 days before the sale | Wyo. Stat. 29-7-105(b), (h); 34.1-7-210(b)(v) |
Notes on reading the table:
- Where to advertise is the method the statute names. "If none" means the fallback the statute gives when the county or city has no qualifying newspaper.
- How often and when follows the statute wording. "After the notice period expires" means the ad cannot start until the time given in your lien notice has run. "Days before the sale" counts back from the sale date.
- Day figures are the earliest first publication day. Florida and Texas count from delivery of the lien notice. Georgia's day 44 counts from the rent due date (30 days of default plus the 14-day notice period).
- Alaska, Massachusetts and Nebraska have no self storage lien act. Their rows come from the general lien or landlord law that applies, so read the state page before you rely on them.
- Every state opens the full lien timeline, notice rules and sources.
Advertising requirements grouped by method
These counts cover all 51 jurisdictions.
| Method | States | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Newspaper only (a posting or website fallback applies only where no newspaper exists) | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin | 18 |
| Newspaper, with one website ad allowed in place of the second newspaper ad | California, Pennsylvania | 2 |
| Newspaper or online auction website | Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, West Virginia | 8 |
| Commercially reasonable manner (newspaper often listed as one option) | Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont | 14 |
| No ad rule found (or no medium set) | Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming | 9 |
A few notes on the groups:
- California and Pennsylvania have their own group. A newspaper ad is always required, and one website ad can replace the second newspaper ad, but a website alone never replaces the newspaper. Together with the 18 newspaper-only states they make the 20 states where a newspaper ad is required.
- Alabama and Oregon are counted as newspaper states, with the small-value exceptions covered below.
- New York is listed with no ad rule because the statute says the goods "will be advertised for sale" but sets no medium, frequency or timing. The sale must still be commercially reasonable.
- Washington and Virginia have no ad rule in the statute, and Washington still requires a public sale in a commercially reasonable manner.
- Alaska asks for notice posted in three public places for 10 days, not for an ad in any medium, so it sits in the no ad medium group.
- Idaho has no ad rule. The current § 55-2306 (amended 2025) sets no newspaper or other publication requirement, and the sale must follow the time and place stated in the notice.
- Wyoming has no ad rule on the default route in § 29-7-105(b). A newspaper ad once a week for 2 consecutive weeks applies only if you choose the optional warehouse procedure under § 29-7-105(h).
- Indiana lets you publish once in a county newspaper or advertise in any other commercially reasonable manner likely to attract at least 3 independent bidders. The sale must be at least 10 days after the first ad (IC 26-3-8-14). See the Indiana page.
- Arkansas lets you run one county newspaper ad or advertise in any commercially reasonable manner, at least 7 days before the sale. A person who bids in person or online, or views the sale online, counts as an independent bidder, and the sale is held at the facility.
The 3 independent bidders test
All 14 commercially reasonable manner states point to bidder turnout as the measure. Iowa and Kentucky deem an ad commercially reasonable if it is likely to attract, or draws, at least three independent bidders in person or online. Indiana asks for a manner likely to attract at least three independent bidders. Mississippi deems a manner reasonable if it is likely to attract at least three independent bidders to attend or view the sale in person or online. Arkansas, Colorado, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont and Montana use a similar deeming rule based on bidders or attendees. Hawaii requires at least 3 independent bidders to participate when you skip the newspaper.
Kansas is stricter. If fewer than 3 independent bidders attend or view online, the sale is canceled, rescheduled and readvertised. Treat the bidder count as a result you plan for, and keep a record of who registered, viewed or attended. Read the exact wording on your state page before you rely on it.
Small-value exceptions
Two states in the data relax the ad rule for low-value contents:
- Alabama: if the operator determines from past experience that the contents are worth $500 or less, any commercially reasonable manner suffices. The same applies when there is no newspaper in the county. See the Alabama page.
- Oregon: publish in a newspaper if you believe the value exceeds $1,000. If the value is $1,000 or less based on your previous experience, you may dispose of the property at your sole discretion with no advertisement. See the Oregon page.
These are judgment calls that depend on what is really in the unit. Write down why you valued the contents as you did, and ask your attorney before skipping an ad.
What the ad must say
The contents are set state by state. From the statutes in the data, the most common items are:
- A general description of the goods or a brief inventory (Hawaii, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas).
- The occupant name, or the name of the person on whose account the goods are stored (California, Hawaii, Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island, Wisconsin).
- The facility name or address, and the space or unit number where the statute asks for it (California, Nevada, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, Utah).
- The time, place and terms or manner of sale (District of Columbia, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas).
- A statement that the contents will be sold to satisfy the lien (Tennessee) or released for sale (Missouri).
Texas says the place of sale is the street address or website address. Hawaii also asks for the total sums due. Use the wording your statute sets and confirm it against the state row. Copy the facility name and address from your rental agreement so the ad matches your notices.
Timing relative to the lien notice
Three patterns show up in the data.
- After the notice period expires. Most weekly-for-two-weeks states, such as Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and South Carolina, start the ad only after the time given in your lien notice has run. Place it early and you may have to run it again.
- A set number of days before the sale. The District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia say at least 3 days. North Carolina says not less than 5. Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana and North Dakota say at least 7.
- A window around the sale date. Connecticut wants at least one publication within a period not less than 10 days before the sale. Nevada wants the ad in the week immediately before the sale. Minnesota, Mississippi and Wisconsin set the sale no sooner than 15 days after publication, and Indiana no sooner than 10 days after the first ad.
Florida and Texas count from delivery of the lien notice: Florida's earliest first publication is day 14 after delivery. Georgia's earliest first publication is about day 44 from the rent due date (30 days of default plus 14 days after the notice). Texas starts the ad if the claim is unpaid by the 14th day after delivery, so day 15 is the earliest. To see how the ad fits the rest of the schedule, use the lien timeline calculator and the guide on how long before a storage unit is auctioned.
Some states add a separate notice around the ad. Maryland requires you to notify the occupant of the sale at least 10 days before. Montana requires a sale notice by verified mail or email at least 7 days before. Arkansas requires you to check the circuit clerk for lienholders and mail them notice at least 10 days before the sale.
Checklist before you place the ad
- Find your state row and write down the allowed method, the frequency and the timing rule.
- Confirm the lien notice period has ended if your state says the ad runs after it. Count the days from the date the notice was delivered, using the pre-lien and lien timeline guide.
- Check military status and bankruptcy before any ad goes out.
- Choose the outlet. Confirm the newspaper is of general circulation in the right county or city, or that the website is the kind the statute names.
- Draft the ad with the contents your state requires: description, occupant name, facility address and unit number, and the time, place and manner of sale.
- Set the dates so every publication and every days-before-sale rule is met, with a day to spare.
- Keep proof of each ad: the publisher's receipt, a copy of the page or a screenshot of the online listing with the date.
- Plan for the sale itself. Where the 3 bidder test applies, record who registered, viewed or attended. See the self storage auction process.
- Handle the money. Read what happens to surplus lien sale proceeds before you close the file.
Keep the ad copy, the publication or website, and the run dates in the tenant's file so you can show the sale was advertised as the statute requires. If you are choosing a tool to hold those records, compare options in our best self storage software roundup or read what self storage software should track for liens. If you use a Storable product today, see Storable alternatives.
Common mistakes
- Running the ad before the notice period has expired in a state that requires it to follow.
- Counting from the wrong date. Florida and Texas count the ad timing from notice delivery, not the rent due date.
- Using a website the statute does not name. Connecticut, for example, requires a publicly accessible independent site that regularly conducts online auctions.
- Skipping the posting fallback where no qualifying newspaper exists, in states such as Illinois, New Jersey and South Dakota.
- Running one ad where the state wants two consecutive weeks.
- Using the general lien rules in Alaska, Massachusetts or Nebraska without asking whether they fit a unit rental. Those states have no self storage act.
- Assuming "no ad rule found" means no rule anywhere. It means none was found in the self-storage statute. Ask your attorney about other law and your rental agreement.
- Forgetting military status.
The lien and auction management feature in Stitch shows the next step and the earliest legal date for each unit, and you can see pricing before you start a trial.
Military tenants (SCRA)
Federal law adds a hard stop. Under 50 U.S.C. 3958, you may not foreclose or enforce a lien on a servicemember's property during their period of military service and for 90 days after it, unless you have a court order granted first. The statute says the term "lien" includes a lien for storage. A court can also stay the case or adjust the obligation if military service materially affects the servicemember's ability to pay. Knowingly acting against the section is a misdemeanor.
In practice you check military status before the ad is placed, and you ask your attorney what to do when the answer is yes. Federal law applies in every state, even where the state statute says nothing about military tenants.
For the full path from default to sale, read the lien timelines explained guide.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Statutes change, and your facts matter. Review every notice and ad with your attorney before you act.
