Shipping containers are a necessary component of nearly every cargo vessel that crosses the Atlantic. But while they’re built to hold a wide variety of goods, supplies, and a lot more, some people also use them for personal storage. If you’re one of these people and you’re thinking about converting a shipping container into a garage, there are some things you should know beforehand.

Shipping containers are durable and weather resistant, so you won’t have to worry about your vehicle. But a container is only about eight feet wide, which is a problem for bigger cars. Containers are customizable, so you can add doors, windows, and even insulation. But if you use one as-is, you’ll have to contend with a lack of ventilation due to its airtight construction. Plus, you’ll have to deal with temperature swings, because it heats up in the summer and cools down in the winter.

Shipping containers can be pricey, and once your start to modify it, costs only go up from there. However, they can be cheaper than building a garage from the ground up, and since they’re portable, you can move it later on if you need to. Additionally, once you get it in place, depending on what your plan is, you can have it ready in no time. Of course, unless you can haul it and set it up yourself, you’ll likely have to pay even more to a service to do it for you.

While there are pros and cons to using a shipping container as a garage, there are some legalities you should know as well. First off, whether or not you’re allowed to even use a container, is determined by your local zoning laws. These laws control how property can be used, as it may even be illegal to build a shed on your property without a permit. So you may need one before converting, or even placing, a container on your land.

But even if you pass the zoning requirements in your area, you may not be able to move forward. That’s because you may still need to get approval from local building departments in your area. These departments can use building codes to review your container to ensure it’s structurally solid, and it’s placed on a strong foundation. Then there’s how the container is classified, and whether or not it meets your local government’s requirements to be used as a garage. Finally, if you get all the paperwork in order and have the green light to move ahead, check with your homeowner’s association. They may have guidelines in place that can actually override what’s allowed by local law.

If you hit a roadblock, it’s not a good idea to go around the system. Setting up a container without proper approval can lead to fines. You may be ordered to stop work, or you may be forced to remove the container altogether.