Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 39,957	$ 71,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,747	34,676
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	1,663	8,035
Gain on sale of storage facilities		(15,270)
Equity in income of joint ventures	(1,506)	(1,913)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,852	2,548
Non-vested stock earned	3,246	3,802
Stock option expense	8	81
Deferred income taxes	(2,832)
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	(720)	2,193
Prepaid expenses	(2,299)	(841)
Receipts from (advances to) joint ventures	201	(116)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(8,023)	(11,086)
Deferred revenue	320	(915)
Net cash provided by operating activities	108,614	92,929
Investing Activities
Acquisitions of storage facilities, net of cash acquired	(9,576)	(415,749)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(45,662)	(27,626)
Net proceeds from the sale of real estate	976	34,074
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(66,590)	(5,335)
Property deposit		(829)
Net cash used in investing activities	(120,852)	(415,465)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/partnership units	9,760	942,150
Proceeds from line of credit	179,000	577,000
Repayments of line of credit	(101,000)	(656,000)
Proceeds from term notes, net of discount		596,682
Repayment of term note		(150,000)
Debt issuance costs		(14,183)
Settlement of forward starting interest rate swaps		(9,167)
Dividends paid - common stock	(90,610)	(68,637)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(424)	(370)
Mortgage principal payments	(175)	(74)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(3,449)	1,217,401
Net (decrease) increase in cash	(15,687)	894,865
Cash at beginning of period	23,685	7,032
Cash at end of period	7,998	901,897
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	30,624	25,170
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	1,161	970
Life Storage LP [Member]
Operating Activities
Net income	39,957	71,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75,747	34,676
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	1,663	8,035
Gain on sale of storage facilities		(15,270)
Equity in income of joint ventures	(1,506)	(1,913)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,852	2,548
Non-vested stock earned	3,246	3,802
Stock option expense	8	81
Deferred income taxes	(2,832)
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	(720)	2,193
Prepaid expenses	(2,299)	(841)
Receipts from (advances to) joint ventures	201	(116)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(8,023)	(11,086)
Deferred revenue	320	(915)
Net cash provided by operating activities	108,614	92,929
Investing Activities
Acquisitions of storage facilities, net of cash acquired	(9,576)	(415,749)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(45,662)	(27,626)
Net proceeds from the sale of real estate	976	34,074
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(66,590)	(5,335)
Property deposit		(829)
Net cash used in investing activities	(120,852)	(415,465)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/partnership units	9,760	942,150
Proceeds from line of credit	179,000	577,000
Repayments of line of credit	(101,000)	(656,000)
Proceeds from term notes, net of discount		596,682
Repayment of term note		(150,000)
Debt issuance costs		(14,183)
Settlement of forward starting interest rate swaps		(9,167)
Distributions to unitholders	(90,610)	(68,637)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(424)	(370)
Mortgage principal payments	(175)	(74)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(3,449)	1,217,401
Net (decrease) increase in cash	(15,687)	894,865
Cash at beginning of period	23,685	7,032
Cash at end of period	7,998	901,897
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	30,624	25,170
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 1,161	$ 970