Can I Store My Bike, Tools or Boxes in My Car Space?
That empty concrete slab seems perfect for a few extra items a bike rack, maybe some shelves, boxes of unwanted clothes and crockery. But even though it’s your space, strata laws treat parking areas differently from private property.
Here’s what you can (and can’t) store in an open car space without breaching by-laws or safety regulations.
1. Why Car Spaces Aren’t the Same as a Private Garage
In most strata schemes, your car space is part of the common property or a lot entitlement with strict conditions. Even if it’s on your title, you usually don’t have the same freedom as you would in a freestanding house. By-laws, fire safety rules, and insurance requirements all limit what can be stored.
2. Common Restrictions in Strata By-Laws
While rules vary between buildings, most schemes prohibit:
Permanent storage of items other than a registered motor vehicle
Blocking access to other car spaces, pathways, or common property
Storing flammable or hazardous materials (petrol cans, gas cylinders, paint tins, etc.)
Installing fixtures like shelves, cupboards, or bike racks without written approval
These rules are often in place to keep the car park safe, tidy, and compliant with insurance
3. Fire Safety and Insurance Concerns
Car parks are considered high-risk areas for fires. Loose items such as cardboard boxes, timber, or fuel containers can be:
A fire hazard
An obstruction to fire exits
A breach of local fire safety codes
In some states, breaching these rules can lead to penalties, orders to remove items, or even voiding the building’s insurance cover.
4. Bikes in Car Spaces
Bikes are a common grey area. Some by-laws specifically allow them if they are secured neatly within the boundaries of your space and don’t block access. Others require bikes to be stored in designated racks in the building.
Tip: Always check if your scheme offers a bike storage room, it’s usually safer and avoids disputes.
5. Tools, Boxes and Household Items
While a small set of tools in your car boot won’t raise eyebrows, leaving toolboxes, storage tubs, or shelving units permanently in your space is often prohibited.
Reasons include:
They reduce clearance for vehicles and pedestrians
They can attract theft
They make the car park look cluttered
6. Getting Approval if You Need Extra Storage
If you genuinely need to store items in your car space:
Check your by-laws: look for sections about use of parking spaces.
Seek written approval: from the owners corporation or strata committee.
Propose safe storage: such as a lockable cabinet designed for car parks, fixed to the wall or floor with fire-safe materials (if permitted).
Be ready for conditions: they may require periodic inspection or removal if complaints arise.
7. State and Territory Nuances
While the general principles are similar, wording and enforcement vary:
NSW: By-law breaches can be enforced under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 with penalties up to $5,500 for repeat offences.
VIC: Owners corporations can make rules restricting use of lots or common property for storage under the Owners Corporations Act 2006.
QLD: The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 allows bodies corporate to regulate parking area use.
WA, SA, TAS, ACT, NT: Similar powers exist under their respective strata or community title legislation.
Quick Guide: Car Space Storage Rules
✅ = Generally permitted
❌ = Generally prohibited
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Readers should seek independent legal and professional guidance relevant to their specific circumstances and jurisdiction