Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Operating Activities
Net income	$ 47,592	$ 36,625
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33,359	28,330
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	1,062	1,025
Gain on sale of real estate		(302)
Equity in income of joint ventures	(1,221)	(1,116)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,547	3,611
Non-vested stock earned	1,453	1,124
Deferred income taxes	64	399
Other	(67)
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	705	541
Prepaid expenses	(3,862)	(3,904)
Receipts from joint ventures	544	51
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(16,949)	(22,492)
Deferred revenue	1,865	1,140
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,092	45,032
Investing Activities
Acquisition of storage facilities, net of cash acquired	(265,197)	(124,204)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(10,228)	(11,661)
Return of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	2,573	8,359
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,330)	(2,990)
Property deposits	(519)	171
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,701)	(130,325)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock\partnership units	180,529	21,466
Proceeds from line of credit	76,000	172,000
Repayments of line of credit	(33,000)	(54,000)
Dividends paid - common stock	(55,840)	(49,969)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(247)	(264)
Redemption of Operating Partnership Units	(63)	(265)
Mortgage principal payments	(117)	(166)
Net cash provided by financing activities	167,262	88,802
Net increase in cash and restricted cash	(40,347)	3,509
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period	58,771	21,556
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	18,424	25,065
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	15,118	18,315
Cash (received) paid for income taxes, net of refunds	(312)	265
Life Storage LP [Member]
Operating Activities
Net income	47,592	36,625
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33,359	28,330
Amortization of debt issuance costs and bond discount	1,062	1,025
Gain on sale of real estate		(302)
Equity in income of joint ventures	(1,221)	(1,116)
Distributions from unconsolidated joint ventures	2,547	3,611
Non-vested stock earned	1,453	1,124
Deferred income taxes	64	399
Other	(67)
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	705	541
Prepaid expenses	(3,862)	(3,904)
Receipts from joint ventures	544	51
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(16,949)	(22,492)
Deferred revenue	1,865	1,140
Net cash provided by operating activities	67,092	45,032
Investing Activities
Acquisition of storage facilities, net of cash acquired	(265,197)	(124,204)
Improvements, equipment additions, and construction in progress	(10,228)	(11,661)
Return of investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	2,573	8,359
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures	(1,330)	(2,990)
Property deposits	(519)	171
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,701)	(130,325)
Financing Activities
Net proceeds from sale of common stock\partnership units	180,529	21,466
Proceeds from line of credit	76,000	172,000
Repayments of line of credit	(33,000)	(54,000)
Distributions to unitholders	(55,840)	(49,969)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(247)	(264)
Redemption of Operating Partnership Units	(63)	(265)
Mortgage principal payments	(117)	(166)
Net cash provided by financing activities	167,262	88,802
Net increase in cash and restricted cash	(40,347)	3,509
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period	58,771	21,556
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	18,424	25,065
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of interest capitalized	15,118	18,315
Cash (received) paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ (312)	$ 265