Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 34,049	$ 20,525
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,764	37,642
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	891	832
Equity in income of joint ventures	(972)	(721)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,037	1,357
Non-vested stock earned	1,495	1,612
Stock option expense	4	4
Deferred income taxes	148
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	45	(281)
Prepaid expenses	(10,578)	(3,773)
Receipts from (advances to) joint ventures	497	(73)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(23,749)	(29,033)
Deferred revenue	973	48
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,604	28,139
Investing Activities
Acquisitions of storage facilities, net of cash acquired		(9,576)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(8,755)	(20,739)
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(706)	(22,387)
Property deposit	29
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,432)	(52,702)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/partnership units		4,216
Proceeds from line of credit	68,000	73,000
Repayments of line of credit	(43,000)	(27,000)
Dividends paid - common stock	(46,121)	(44,113)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(217)	(207)
Mortgage principal payments	(93)	(89)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(21,431)	5,807
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash	(1,259)	(18,756)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period	9,459	23,923
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	8,200	5,167
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	19,140	21,993
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	322	220
Life Storage LP [Member]
Operating Activities
Net income	34,049	20,525
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,764	37,642
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	891	832
Equity in income of joint ventures	(972)	(721)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,037	1,357
Non-vested stock earned	1,495	1,612
Stock option expense	4	4
Deferred income taxes	148
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	45	(281)
Prepaid expenses	(10,578)	(3,773)
Receipts from (advances to) joint ventures	497	(73)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(23,749)	(29,033)
Deferred revenue	973	48
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,604	28,139
Investing Activities
Acquisitions of storage facilities, net of cash acquired		(9,576)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(8,755)	(20,739)
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(706)	(22,387)
Property deposit	29
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,432)	(52,702)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/partnership units		4,216
Proceeds from line of credit	68,000	73,000
Repayments of line of credit	(43,000)	(27,000)
Distributions to unitholders	(46,121)	(44,113)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(217)	(207)
Mortgage principal payments	(93)	(89)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(21,431)	5,807
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash	(1,259)	(18,756)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period	9,459	23,923
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	8,200	5,167
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	19,140	21,993
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 322	$ 220