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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

             
   
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

  Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price

  Amount of
Registration Fee

 
   

Common stock, $0.01 par value

  $ 203,200,400 (1) $ 27,717 (2)

 

 
(1)
Includes additional shares of common stock that the underwriter has the option to purchase.

(2)
The filing fee of $27,717 is calculated in accordance with Rules 457(o) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant initially deferred payment of the registration fees for Registration Statement No. 333-176276 filed by the registrant on August 12, 2011.

FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(B)(5)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-176276

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated August 12, 2011) LOGO

5,200,000 Shares

Extra Space Storage Inc.

Common Stock



        We are selling 5,200,000 shares of our common stock.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EXR." On November 2, 2012, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $34.92 per share.

        To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to real estate investment trusts, our charter contains certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock, including an ownership limit of 7.0% and a designated investment entity ownership limit of 9.8% on our common stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" beginning on page 22 of the accompanying prospectus.



        Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any of these shares you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common stock in "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement, page 2 of the accompanying prospectus and page 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



        The underwriter has agreed to purchase the shares of common stock from us at a price of $33.98 per share, which will result in net proceeds to us, before deducting expenses related to this offering, of approximately $176.7 million assuming no exercise of the option granted to the underwriter to purchase additional shares, and $203.2 million, assuming full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares. The underwriter may offer our common shares in transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or through negotiated transactions at market prices or at negotiated prices. See "Underwriting."

        We have granted the underwriter an option to purchase up to 780,000 additional shares of common stock.

        The underwriter expects to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about November 9, 2012 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.



Citigroup

   

November 5, 2012


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        You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriter is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
  Page

Summary

  S-1

The Offering

  S-3

Risk Factors

  S-4

Forward-Looking Statements

  S-7

Use of Proceeds

  S-8

Capitalization

  S-9

Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

  S-10

Underwriting

  S-14

Notice to Prospective Investors

  S-16

Legal Matters

  S-20

Experts

  S-20

Information Incorporated by Reference

  S-20
PROSPECTUS

 


 

 

 
  Page

Extra Space Storage

  1

Risk Factors

  2

About This Prospectus

  2

Where You Can Find More Information

  2

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

  3

Forward-Looking Statements

  4

Use of Proceeds

  5

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

  6

Description of Common Stock

  7

Description of Preferred Stock

  8

Description of Depositary Shares

  15

Description of Warrants

  18

Description of Rights

  20

Description of Units

  21

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

  22

Description of the Partnership Agreement of Extra Space Storage LP

  26

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of our Charter and Bylaws

  30

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

  36

Plan of Distribution

  58

Legal Matters

  60

Experts

  60

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SUMMARY

        This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this common stock offering. The second part, which is the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If the description of this offering varies between the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement.

        This summary may not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. Before making an investment decision, you should read the entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein carefully, including the "Risk Factors" section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and our other filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are incorporated herein by reference. Except where we state otherwise, the information we present in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of the underwriter's option to purchase additional shares. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this prospectus supplement to "Extra Space Storage Inc.," "Extra Space," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Extra Space Storage Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Extra Space Storage LP, our operating partnership. References to "OP units" include common operating partnership units and preferred operating partnership units.


Overview

        We are a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on owning, operating, managing, acquiring, developing and redeveloping professionally managed self-storage facilities. We were formed as a Maryland corporation in April 2004 to continue the business of Extra Space Storage LLC and its subsidiaries, which had engaged in the self-storage business since 1977.

        As of September 30, 2012, we held ownership interests in 720 operating properties. Of these operating properties, 416 were wholly owned and 304 were owned in joint venture partnerships. An additional 190 operating properties were owned by franchisees or third parties and operated by us in exchange for a management fee, bringing the total number of operating properties which we owned and/or managed to 910. These 910 operating properties are located in 34 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico and contain approximately 66.7 million square feet of net rentable space in approximately 610,000 units, serving a customer base of over 510,000 tenants as of September 30, 2012.

        We operate in three distinct segments: (1) property management, acquisition and development; (2) rental operations; and (3) tenant reinsurance. Our property management, acquisition and development activities include managing, acquiring, developing, redeveloping and selling self-storage facilities. Our rental operations activities include rental operations of self-storage facilities. Tenant reinsurance activities include the reinsurance of risks relating to the loss of goods stored by tenants in our self-storage facilities.

        Our primary business objectives are to maximize cash flow available for distribution to our stockholders and to achieve sustainable long-term growth in cash flow per share in order to maximize long-term stockholder value. We seek to maximize revenue by responding to changing market conditions through our advanced technology system's ability to provide real-time, interactive rental rate and discount management. Our size allows us greater ability than many of our competitors to implement national, regional and local marketing programs, which we believe attracts more customers to our stores at a lower net cost. In addition, our management business enables us to generate increased revenues through management fees and to expand our geographic footprint. We believe this expanded footprint enables us to reduce our operating costs through economies of scale. We also continue to pursue the acquisition of single properties and multi-property portfolios that we believe can provide stockholder value.

 

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        Extra Space Storage LP and its subsidiaries conduct substantially all of our operations and hold all of our real estate assets. We believe our status as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust enables flexibility when structuring transactions.

        Our principal corporate offices are located at 2795 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, and our telephone number is (801) 365-4600. We maintain a website that contains information about us at www.extraspace.com. The information included on our website is not, and should not be considered, a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.


Recent Developments

Pending Acquisitions

        On November 1, 2012, we entered into a letter of intent to acquire a joint venture partner's interest in one of our existing joint ventures that owns 21 self-storage properties in 11 states. All of the properties owned by the joint venture are currently operated by us under the Extra Space Storage brand. The joint venture properties contain approximately 1.7 million square feet of net rentable space in approximately 13,600 units. As of September 30, 2012, approximately 89.0% of the net rentable space at these properties was occupied. Upon closing, we expect to own 100% of the joint venture properties.

        In addition, we have entered into definitive purchase agreements to acquire seven additional properties located in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey, with an aggregate of approximately 575,000 square feet of net rentable space in approximately 5,800 units. As of September 30, 2012, approximately 86.6% of the net rentable space at these properties was occupied.

        In total, we have agreed to acquire the above described properties for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $190.2 million, of which approximately $187.5 million is to be paid in cash at the respective closings and approximately $2.7 million of debt is to be assumed.

        These acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence, the satisfaction of other closing conditions and, in the case of the acquisition of the joint venture partner's interest, the negotiation and execution of a definitive purchase agreement. We intend to close each of these acquisitions by December 31, 2012; however, there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

 

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THE OFFERING

Common stock offered by us

  5,200,000(1) shares

Common stock and OP units outstanding prior to completion of the offering

 

108,372,882(2)(3) shares and units

Common stock and OP units to be outstanding after the offering

 

113,572,882(2)(3) shares and units

Use of proceeds

 

We expect that the net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $176.3 million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses (and approximately $202.9 million if the underwriter exercises in full its option to purchase additional shares). We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership intends to subsequently use the net proceeds of the offering to fund certain acquisitions described above under the caption "Summary—Recent Developments—Pending Acquisitions," to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under our secured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. The anticipated purchase price of the acquisitions described above is approximately $190.2 million, of which approximately $187.5 million is to be paid in cash at closing. The acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence, the satisfaction of other closing conditions and, in the case of the acquisition of the joint venture partner's interest, the negotiation and execution of a definitive purchase agreement, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all. Pending use of the remaining net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest these net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing investment grade instruments. See "Use of Proceeds."

Risk factors

 

You should carefully read the information contained under the caption "Risk Factors" in this prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and our other filings under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

NYSE symbol

 

EXR


(1)
5,980,000 shares of common stock if the underwriter exercises in full its option to purchase additional shares.

(2)
Based on 104,322,435 shares of common stock, 989,980 preferred operating partnership units and 3,060,467 common operating partnership units outstanding as of September 30, 2012, and excluding (a) stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and (b) stock available for future issuance under our amended and restated 2004 long-term stock incentive plan and our non-employee director plan.

(3)
This number excludes the underwriter's option to purchase additional shares.

 

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RISK FACTORS

        Investment in the shares offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus involves risks. In addition to the information presented in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the risk factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should consider carefully the following risk factors before deciding to purchase these shares.

Risks Related to this Offering

         We may fail to consummate our pending acquisitions, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, earnings and cash flow.

        We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to fund certain acquisitions described above under the caption "Summary—Recent Developments—Pending Acquisitions." These acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence, the satisfaction of other closing conditions and, in the case of the acquisition of the joint venture partner's interest, the negotiation and execution of a definitive purchase agreement, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

        In the event that we fail to consummate any of these acquisitions, we will have issued a significant number of additional shares of our common stock without realizing a corresponding increase in earnings and cash flow from acquiring the properties involved in such acquisitions. In addition, we will have broad authority to use the net proceeds of this offering for other purposes, including the repayment of indebtedness, the acquisition of other properties that we may identify in the future or for other investments, which may not be initially accretive to our results of operations. As a result, failure to consummate one or more of the pending acquisitions could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our common stock.

         Future sales of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our shares.

        We cannot predict whether future issuances of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of our common stock for resale in the open market will decrease the market price of our common stock. Any sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of this offering, the shares of our common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction (other than any restrictions set forth in our charter relating to our qualification as a REIT).

        The exercise of the underwriter's option to purchase additional shares, the redemption of OP units for common stock, the exercise of any options or the vesting of any restricted stock granted to directors, executive officers and other employees under our stock incentive plans, the issuance of common stock or OP units in connection with property, portfolio or business acquisitions and other issuances of our common stock (including by means of our currently effective shelf registration statement) could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, the existence of OP units, options and shares of our common stock reserved for issuance as restricted stock or upon redemption of OP units or exercise of options may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities. In addition, future sales of shares of our common stock may be dilutive to our existing stockholders.

        In connection with this offering, we and certain of our officers have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriter restricting the sale of our common stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of common stock for no less than 45 days following the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain exceptions. The underwriter, in its sole discretion, may

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permit early release of shares of our common stock, subject to certain restrictions, prior to the expiration of the 45-day lock-up period and without public notice. If the restrictions under such agreements are waived, the affected common stock may be available for sale into the market, which could reduce the market price of our common stock. See "Underwriting" for a more detailed description of the lock-up agreements entered into with the underwriter.

        From time to time, we also may issue shares of our common stock or OP units in connection with property, portfolio or business acquisitions. We may grant demand or piggyback registration rights in connection with these issuances. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock or may adversely affect the terms upon which we may be able to obtain additional capital through the sale of equity securities.

         Our share price could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss on our stockholders' investment.

        The stock markets (including the New York Stock Exchange, on which we list our common stock) have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be similarly volatile, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including:

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        In the past, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management's attention and resources.

         Future offerings of debt, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities, which may be senior to our common stock for purposes of dividend distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

        In the future, we may increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or preferred equity securities, including trust preferred securities, senior or subordinated notes and preferred stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common stock, or both. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights or other protections against dilution. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us.

         Our business operations may not generate the cash needed to make distributions on our capital stock or to service our indebtedness, and we may adjust our common stock dividend policy.

        Our ability to make distributions on our common stock and payments on our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to make distributions on our common stock, to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.

        The decision to declare and pay dividends on shares of our common stock in the future, as well as the timing, amount and composition of any such future dividends, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, debt maturities, the availability of debt and equity capital, applicable REIT and legal restrictions, general overall economic conditions and other factors. Any change in our dividend policy could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference in each contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). Also, documents we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporate by reference will contain forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our statements regarding pending future acquisitions, anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

        While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section above entitled "Risk Factors," including the risks incorporated therein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $176.3 million. If the underwriter exercises in full its option to purchase additional shares, our net proceeds will be approximately $202.9 million.

        We will contribute the net proceeds of this offering to our operating partnership. Our operating partnership intends to subsequently use the net proceeds of the offering to fund certain acquisitions described above under the caption "Summary—Recent Developments—Pending Acquisitions," to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under our secured lines of credit and for other general corporate and working capital purposes. The anticipated purchase price of the acquisitions described above is approximately $190.2 million, of which approximately $187.5 million is to be paid in cash at the respective closings and approximately $2.7 million of debt is to be assumed. The acquisitions are subject to the completion of due diligence, the satisfaction of other closing conditions and, in the case of the acquisition of the joint venture partner's interest, the negotiation and execution of a definitive purchase agreement, and there can be no assurances that these conditions will be satisfied or that the acquisitions will close on the terms described herein, or at all.

        As of September 30, 2012, we had $240.0 million outstanding under five secured lines of credit. On October 26, 2012, we repaid the $100.0 million outstanding balance under a secured line of credit that was scheduled to mature on October 31, 2012. The indebtedness under our four remaining secured lines of credit, which may be repaid in part with the net proceeds of this offering, consisted of the following as of September 30, 2012:

The outstanding indebtedness under our secured lines of credit was incurred primarily to repay outstanding mortgage debt, to fund acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes.

        Pending use of the remaining net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest these net proceeds in short-term interest-bearing investment grade instruments.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2012:

        The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 
  As of September 30, 2012  
 
  Actual   As Adjusted(2)  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 43,608   $ 62,954  
           

Debt:

             

Notes payable

    1,226,899     1,299,899  

Notes payable to trusts

    119,590     119,590  

Lines of credit

    240,000      

Extra Space Storage Inc. stockholders' equity:

             

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

         

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 104,322,435 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012, actual, and 109,522,435 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012, as adjusted(1)

    1,043     1,095  

Paid-in capital

    1,531,975     1,708,269  

Accumulated other comprehensive deficit

    (14,956 )   (14,956 )

Accumulated deficit

    (243,546 )   (243,546 )
           

Total Extra Space Storage Inc. stockholders' equity

    1,274,516     1,450,862  

Noncontrolling interest represented by Preferred Operating Partnership units, net of $100,000 note receivable

    29,829     29,829  

Noncontrolling interests in Operating Partnership

    24,699     24,699  

Other noncontrolling interests

    1,108     1,108  

Total noncontrolling interests and equity

    1,330,152     1,506,498  
           

Total capitalization

  $ 2,916,641   $ 2,925,987  
           

(1)
Excludes (a) stock issuable upon redemption of OP units, (b) stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, (c) stock available for future issuance under our stock incentive plans and (d) the underwriter's option to purchase additional shares.

(2)
Amount does not reflect adjustments for the acquisitions described above under the caption "Summary—Recent Developments—Pending Acquisitions." The anticipated purchase price of the acquisitions is approximately $190.2 million, consisting of approximately $187.5 million of cash consideration and the assumption of existing loans in the amount of approximately $2.7 million.

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SUPPLEMENTAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

        This discussion is a supplement to, and is intended to be read together with, the discussion under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" included in the accompanying prospectus. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice.

         The following is a supplement to, and should be read together with, the discussion under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of Our Company" in the accompanying prospectus.

Proposed Treasury Regulations Regarding Certain Asset Dispositions

        If we acquire any asset from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which the basis of the asset in our hands is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined at the time we acquired the asset, and we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of the asset during the ten-year period beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then as described in the accompanying prospectus under the heading "—Taxation of Our Company—General," we generally will be required to pay tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate on this gain to the extent of the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case determined as of the date on which we acquired the asset. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation refrains from making an election to receive different treatment under existing Treasury Regulations on its tax return for the year in which we acquire the asset from the C corporation.

        The IRS has issued Proposed Treasury Regulations which would exclude from the application of this built-in gains tax any gain from the sale of property acquired by us in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like kind exchange) or 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Internal Revenue Code. These Proposed Treasury Regulations will not be effective unless they are issued in final form, and as of the date of this prospectus supplement, it is not possible to determine whether the proposed regulations will be finalized in their current form or at all.

         The following discussion supersedes, in its entirety, the discussion under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of Our Company—Annual Distribution Requirements" in the accompanying prospectus.

        To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:

        For these purposes, our "REIT taxable income" is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, or a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable. Also, our "REIT taxable income" will be reduced by any taxes we are required to pay on any gain we recognize from the disposition of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is less than the fair market value of the asset, in each case determined at the time we acquired the asset, within the ten-year period following our acquisition of such asset. See "Proposed Treasury Regulations Regarding Certain Asset Dispositions" above.

        We generally must pay, or be treated as paying, the distributions described above in the taxable year to which they relate. At our election, a distribution will be treated as paid in a taxable year if it is

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declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such year. These distributions are treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. In order to be taken into account for purposes of our distribution requirement, the amount distributed must not be preferential—i.e., every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our "REIT taxable income," as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates.

        We expect that our REIT taxable income will typically be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

        Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described below. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends. In addition, while a deficiency dividend applies to an earlier year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement, the dividend is treated as an additional distribution to our stockholders in the year it is paid.

        Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for such year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

        For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, dividends declared during the last three months of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, will be treated as paid by us and received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.

        We believe that we have made, and we intend to continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes ESS Holding Business Trust I, our wholly-owned subsidiary and the general partner of our operating partnership, and us, as the indirect general partner of our operating partnership, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause our operating partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligation. However, following an internal review, we recalculated our 2010 taxable income and, as a result, discovered that we had distributed greater than 90%, but less than 100%, of our taxable income for 2010. Although our 2010 distributions satisfied the REIT distribution requirements notwithstanding these adjustments, we would

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be required to pay tax at regular corporate rates on our undistributed 2010 taxable income as a result of these adjustments. In order to avoid the imposition of such taxes, we paid a deficiency dividend of $2,762,033 as part of, but not in addition to, our regular second quarter dividend to ensure that we will be treated as having distributed 100% of our taxable income in 2010 for U.S. federal income tax purposes. While this distribution applied for purposes of our 2010 REIT distribution requirements, it will be treated as an additional distribution to our stockholders in 2012.

         The following discussion is a supplement to, and replaces the final two paragraphs of, the discussion under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Redemption or Repurchase by Us" in the accompanying prospectus.

        If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is treated as a distribution, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received, and will be treated as described under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally." A U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares of stock will be transferred to the U.S. stockholder's remaining shares of our stock, if any. If the U.S. stockholder owns no other shares of our stock, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely. Proposed Treasury Regulations issued in 2009, if finalized in their current form, would affect the basis recovery rules described above. It is not clear whether these proposed regulations will be finalized in their current form or at all. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences associated with a redemption of our stock.

        If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described above under "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Dispositions of Our Capital Stock."

         The following discussion supersedes, in its entirety, the discussions under the headings "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Foreign Accounts" and "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders—Foreign Accounts" in the accompanying prospectus.

Foreign Accounts

        Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to "foreign financial institutions" (as defined in the Code) and certain other non-U.S. entities (including payments to U.S. stockholders who hold shares of our stock through such a foreign financial institution or non-U.S. entity). Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our capital stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a non-financial foreign entity, unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.

        Although these rules currently apply to applicable payments made after December 31, 2012, Proposed Treasury Regulations and subsequent IRS guidance provide that the withholding provisions described above will generally apply to payments of dividends made on or after January 1, 2014 and to

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payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of capital stock on or after January 1, 2017. Because we may not know the extent to which a distribution is a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the time it is made, for purposes of these withholding rules we may treat the entire distribution as a dividend.

        The guidance described above will not be effective until it is reflected in final Treasury Regulations. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding these withholding provisions.

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UNDERWRITING

        Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 5,200,000 shares of common stock.

        The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter to purchase the shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriter is obligated to purchase all the shares (other than those covered by the option to purchase additional shares described below) if it purchases any of the shares.

        If the underwriter sells more shares than the total number set forth above, we have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 780,000 additional shares at the same price per share as the other shares purchased by the underwriter in this offering. Any shares issued or sold under the option will be issued and sold on the same terms and conditions as the other shares that are the subject of this offering.

        We and certain of our officers have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriter. Under these agreements, subject to certain permitted exceptions, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hedge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our common stock, or any other securities of us or our operating partnership that are substantially similar to our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the foregoing during the period from the date of this prospectus supplement continuing through the date 45 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. The underwriter, in its sole discretion, may permit early release of shares of our common stock, subject to the restrictions detailed above, prior to the expiration of the 45-day lock up period and without public notice. The 45-day lock up period may be extended for up to 15 calendar days plus three business days under certain circumstances where we announce or pre-announce earnings or material news or a material event within 15 calendar days plus three business days prior to, or approximately 16 days after, the termination of the 45-day period. Even under those circumstances, however, the lock-up period will not be extended if our stock is actively traded, meaning that we have a public float of at least $150 million and average trading volume of at least $1 million per day.

        The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EXR." We estimate that our portion of the total expenses of this offering will be approximately $350,000.

        The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of common stock offered hereby from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriter may effect such transactions by selling the shares to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal. The difference between the price at which the underwriter purchases shares from us and the price at which the underwriter resells such shares may be deemed underwriting compensation.

        In connection with the offering, the underwriter may purchase and sell shares in the open market. Purchases and sales in the open market may include short sales, purchases to cover short positions,

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which may include purchases pursuant to the option to purchase additional shares, and stabilizing purchases.

        Purchases to cover short positions and stabilizing purchases, as well as other purchases by the underwriter for its own account, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares. They may also cause the price of the shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriter may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriter commences any of these transactions, it may discontinue them at any time.

        The underwriter has performed commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us from time to time for which it has received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. The underwriter may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of its business for which it may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriter may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

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NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

        In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area that has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a relevant member state), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that relevant member state (the relevant implementation date), an offer of shares described in this prospectus supplement may not be made to the public in that relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares that has been approved by the competent authority in that relevant member state or, where appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and notified to the competent authority in that relevant member state, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation date, an offer of securities may be offered to the public in that relevant member state at any time:

        Each purchaser of shares described in this prospectus supplement located within a relevant member state will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a "qualified investor" within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive.

        For purposes of this provision, the expression an "offer to the public" in any relevant member state means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, as the expression may be varied in that member state by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that member state, and the expression "Prospectus Directive" means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant member state.

        The sellers of the shares have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of shares through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriter with a view to the final placement of the shares as contemplated in this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, no purchaser of the shares, other than the underwriter, is authorized to make any further offer of the shares on behalf of the sellers or the underwriter.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are only being distributed to, and are only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that are qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive that are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (each such person being referred to as a "relevant person"). This prospectus supplement and its contents are confidential and should not be distributed,

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published or reproduced (in whole or in part) or disclosed by recipients to any other persons in the United Kingdom. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

        No prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) of Australia ("Corporations Act")) in relation to the shares has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission ("ASIC"). This document has not been lodged with ASIC and is only directed to certain categories of exempt persons. Accordingly, if you receive this document in Australia:

Notice to Prospective Investors in Chile

        The shares are not registered in the Securities Registry (Registro de Valores) or subject to the control of the Chilean Securities and Exchange Commission (Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de Chile). This prospectus supplement and other offering materials relating to the offer of the shares do not constitute a public offer of, or an invitation to subscribe for or purchase, the shares in the Republic of Chile, other than to individually identified purchasers pursuant to a private offering within the meaning of Article 4 of the Chilean Securities Market Act (Ley de Mercado de Valores) (an offer that is not "addressed to the public at large or to a certain sector or specific group of the public").

Notice to Prospective Investors in France

        Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares described in this prospectus supplement has been submitted to the clearance procedures of the Autorité des Marchés Financiers or of the competent authority of another member state of the European Economic Area and notified to the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering material relating to the shares has been or will be:

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        Such offers, sales and distributions will be made in France only:

        The shares may be resold directly or indirectly, only in compliance with articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 through L.621-8-3 of the French Code monétaire et financier.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

        The shares may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a "prospectus" within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to "professional investors" within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

        The shares offered in this prospectus supplement have not been registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan. The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account of any resident of Japan, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

        This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the "SFA"), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

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        Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries' rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California. Hogan Lovells US LLP will act as counsel and pass on certain legal matters for the underwriter. Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, will issue an opinion to us regarding certain matters of Maryland law, including the validity of the common stock to be issued in connection with this offering. Latham & Watkins LLP may rely upon the opinion of Venable LLP.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Extra Space Storage Inc. appearing in Extra Space Storage Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and Extra Space Storage Inc. management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The statement of revenues and certain operating expenses of Storage Solutions/Union Development Company, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the statements of revenues and certain operating expenses of Everest Real Estate Fund LLC for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, both incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Extra Space Storage Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3, 2012, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such statements of revenue and certain operating expenses are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The financial statements of ESS PRISA III LLC for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Extra Space Storage Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 18, 2012, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference herein is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The incorporated documents contain significant information about us, our business and our finances. Any information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any other document we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents we

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filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (excluding those portions that are deemed "furnished" to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to applicable rules and regulations):

        All documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering (excluding any portions of such documents that are deemed "furnished" to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to applicable rules and regulations) will also be considered to be incorporated by reference.

        If you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to Extra Space Storage Inc., 2795 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, UT 84121, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: (801) 365-4600.

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PROSPECTUS

Extra Space Storage Inc.

LOGO

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
Rights
Units



          We may from time to time offer, in one or more classes or series, separately or together, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more supplements to this prospectus, the following securities:

          We refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights and units registered hereunder collectively as the "securities" in this prospectus.

          The specific terms of each series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and will include, where applicable:

          In addition, the specific terms may include limitations on actual or constructive ownership and restrictions on transfer of the securities, in each case as may be appropriate to preserve the status of our company as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes.

          The applicable prospectus supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about certain United States federal income tax consequences relating to, and any listing on a securities exchange of, the securities covered by such prospectus supplement.

          The securities may be offered directly by us or by any selling security holder, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of the securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the sections entitled "About This Prospectus" and "Plan of Distribution" for more information. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such series of securities.

          Our common stock currently trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EXR." On August 11, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $20.02 per share.



          You should consider the risks that we have described in "Risk Factors" on page 2 before investing in our securities.



          Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



The date of this prospectus is August 12, 2011


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

Extra Space Storage

    1  

Risk Factors

    2  

About This Prospectus

    2  

Where You Can Find More Information

    2  

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

    3  

Forward-Looking Statements

    4  

Use of Proceeds

    5  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    6  

Description of Common Stock

    7  

Description of Preferred Stock

    8  

Description of Depositary Shares

    15  

Description of Warrants

    18  

Description of Rights

    20  

Description of Units

    21  

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

    22  

Description of the Partnership Agreement of Extra Space Storage LP

    26  

Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

    30  

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

    36  

Plan of Distribution

    58  

Legal Matters

    60  

Experts

    60  

        References in this prospectus to "Extra Space Storage Inc.," "Extra Space," "we," "our," "us" and "our company" refer to Extra Space Storage Inc., a Maryland corporation, Extra Space Storage LP, and any of our other subsidiaries. Extra Space Storage LP is a Delaware limited partnership of which we are the indirect general partner and to which we refer in this prospectus as our operating partnership. References to "OP units" include common operating partnership units and preferred operating partnership units.

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, in an accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein or therein. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or make any representation that is different. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, and this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction where, or to any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is correct on any date after the respective dates of the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements, as applicable, even though this prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements are delivered or shares are sold pursuant to the prospectus and such prospectus supplement or supplements at a later date. Since the respective dates of the prospectus contained in this registration statement and any accompanying prospectus supplement, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed. We may only use this prospectus to sell the securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

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EXTRA SPACE STORAGE

        We are a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed REIT focused on owning, operating, managing, acquiring, developing and redeveloping professionally managed self-storage facilities. We were formed as a Maryland corporation in April 2004 to continue the business of Extra Space Storage LLC and its subsidiaries, which had engaged in the self-storage business since 1977.

        As of June 30, 2011, we held ownership interests in 680 operating properties. Of these operating properties, 325 are wholly owned and 355 are owned in joint venture partnerships. An additional 180 operating properties are owned by franchisees or third parties and operated by us in exchange for a management fee, bringing the total number of operating properties which we own and/or manage to 860. These operating properties are located in 34 states and Washington, D.C. and contain approximately 62 million square feet of net rentable space in approximately 570,000 units.

        We operate in three distinct segments: (1) property management, acquisition and development; (2) rental operations; and (3) tenant reinsurance. Our property management, acquisition and development activities include managing, acquiring, developing and selling self-storage facilities. Our rental operations activities include rental operations of self-storage facilities. Tenant reinsurance activities include the reinsurance of risks relating to the loss of goods stored by tenants in our self storage facilities.

        Our primary business objectives are to maximize cash flow available for distribution to our stockholders and to achieve sustainable long-term growth in cash flow per share in order to maximize long-term stockholder value. We seek to maximize revenue by responding to changing market conditions through our advanced technology system's ability to provide real-time, interactive rental rate and discount management. Our size allows us greater ability than many of our competitors to implement national, regional and local marketing programs, which we believe attracts more customers to our stores at a lower net cost. In addition, our management business enables us to generate increased revenues through management fees and to expand our geographic footprint. We believe this expanded footprint enables us to reduce our operating costs through economies of scale. We also continue to pursue the acquisition of single properties and multi-property portfolios that we believe can provide stockholder value.

        Extra Space Storage LP and its subsidiaries conduct substantially all of our operations and hold all of our real estate assets. We believe our status as an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust, or UPREIT, enables flexibility when structuring transactions.

        Our principal corporate offices are located at 2795 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, and our telephone number is (801) 562-5556. We maintain a website that contains information about us at www.extraspace.com. The information included on our website is not, and should not be considered, a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities. Please also refer to the section below entitled "Forward-Looking Statements."


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a "well-known seasoned issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a "shelf" registration process. Under this process, we may sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, rights and units in one or more offerings. In addition, selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell certain of our securities from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling security holder may offer. Each time we or any selling security holder sells securities, we or the selling security holder will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the applicable offering. Such prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        We or any selling security holder may offer the securities directly, through agents, or to or through underwriters. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the plan of distribution and set forth the names of any underwriters involved in the sale of the securities. See "Plan of Distribution" for more information on this topic. No securities may be sold without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to you on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. You can inspect reports and other information we file at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at www.extraspace.com. The information included on our website is not, and should not be considered, a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

        We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, including exhibits, schedules and amendments filed with, or incorporated by reference in, this registration statement, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities registered hereby. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to our company and the securities registered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the

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registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where that contract is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. Copies of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement, may be examined without charge at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information about the operation of the public reference room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, is also available to you on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.


INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

        The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference herein is an important part of this prospectus. The incorporated documents contain significant information about us, our business and our finances. Any information contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to have been modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, in any other document we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:

        All documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of any securities made under this prospectus (excluding any portions of such documents that are deemed "furnished" to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to applicable rules and regulations) will also be considered to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        If you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to Extra Space Storage Inc., 2795 East Cottonwood Parkway, Suite 400, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: (801) 562-5556.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents that we incorporate by reference in each contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act). Also, documents we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporate by reference will contain forward-looking statements. In particular, statements pertaining to our capital resources, portfolio performance and results of operations contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, our statements regarding anticipated growth in our funds from operations and anticipated market conditions, demographics and results of operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and you should not rely on them as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and we may not be able to realize them. We do not guarantee that the transactions and events described will happen as described (or that they will happen at all). You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. You can also identify forward-looking statements by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

        While forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, they are not guarantees of future performance. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could impact our future results, performance or transactions, see the section above entitled "Risk Factors," including the risks incorporated therein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to contribute the net proceeds from any sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units, which we refer to as OP units. Our operating partnership will subsequently use the net proceeds received from us to potentially acquire or develop additional properties and for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing indebtedness and improvements to the properties in our portfolio. Pending application of cash proceeds, we will invest the net proceeds in interest-bearing accounts and short-term, interest-bearing securities which are consistent with our intention to continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Further details regarding the use of the net proceeds from the sale of a specific series or class of the securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        If a prospectus supplement includes an offering by selling security holders, we will not receive any proceeds from such sales.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods shown:

 
   
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  Six months ended
June 30,
2011
 
 
  2010   2009   2008   2007   2006  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    1.94     1.67     1.65     1.68     1.56     1.35  

        The ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of income before extraordinary items and fixed charges included in expense. Fixed charges consist of interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, and the amortization of debt issuance costs.

        For the periods shown, we had neither issued any shares of, nor paid any dividends on, preferred stock. Accordingly, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are not presented because they are identical to the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods.

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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

        This prospectus describes the general terms of our common stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you should read the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or MGCL, and our charter and bylaws. When we offer to sell a particular class or series of stock, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any class or series of stock, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        Our charter provides that we may issue up to 300,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors, with the approval of a majority of our board of directors and without stockholder approval, to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of stock or the number of shares of any class or series. As of June 30, 2011, 94,243,303 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

        All shares of our common stock offered hereby will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable. Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock and to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends on such stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors out of assets legally available therefor and declared by us and to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment of or adequate provision for all known debts and liabilities of our company.

Provisions of Our Charter

        Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of our common stock, each outstanding share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of such shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our board of directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the directors then standing for election and the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any directors.

        Holders of shares of our common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Subject to the provisions of our charter regarding the restrictions on ownership and transfer of stock, shares of our common stock will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.

        Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a statutory share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business unless declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter, unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the corporation's charter. Except for certain charter amendments, our charter provides for a majority percentage in these situations. However, our operating assets may be held by our subsidiaries and these subsidiaries may be able to transfer all of their assets without any vote of our stockholders.

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        Our charter authorizes our board of directors to reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock into other classes or series of stock, and to establish the number of shares in each class or series, and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Our Common Stock

        We believe that the power of our board of directors to amend our charter to increase the number of authorized shares of stock, to cause us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. The additional classes or series, as well as the common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, we have adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common stock. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer."

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.


DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

General

        This prospectus describes the general terms of our preferred stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you should read the applicable provisions of the MGCL and our charter and bylaws. When we offer to sell a particular class or series of stock, we will describe the specific terms of the class or series in a prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any class or series of stock, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series and the description of stock in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        Our charter provides that we may issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our charter authorizes our board of directors to amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any class or series without stockholder approval. As of June 30, 2011, no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. Under Maryland law, stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify any unissued shares of preferred stock and to reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of any class or series. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by the MGCL and our charter to set

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the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, including without limitation, restrictions on transferability, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each such class or series. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of holders of our common stock. Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our stock or otherwise be in their best interest. Management believes that the availability of preferred stock provides the company with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise.

        The specific terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to that class or series, including a prospectus supplement providing that preferred stock may be issuable upon the exercise of warrants we issue. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular class or series of preferred stock set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the articles supplementary relating to that class or series.

        The preferences and other terms of the preferred stock of each class or series will be fixed by the articles supplementary relating to such class or series. A prospectus supplement, relating to each class or series, will specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows:

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Rank

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, rank:

Dividends

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will have the rights with respect to payment of dividends set forth below.

        Holders of the preferred stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by our board of directors and declared by us, out of our assets legally available for payment, cash dividends in the amounts and on the dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on our stock transfer books on the record dates as shall be fixed by our board of directors.

        Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will accumulate from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of any series of preferred stock. If the board of directors fails to authorize, and we fail to declare, a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of preferred stock for which dividends are non-cumulative, then the holders of this series of preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the related dividend period and we will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for the period, whether or not dividends on this series of preferred stock are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.

        If shares of preferred stock of any series are outstanding, no full dividends will be declared and paid or declared and set apart for payment on any of our stock of any other series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of this series for any period unless:

        When dividends are not paid in full or a sum sufficient for the full payment is not so set apart upon preferred stock of any series and the shares of any other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the preferred stock of this series, all dividends declared upon the preferred stock of this series and any other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with the preferred stock shall be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share of

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preferred stock of this series and the other series of preferred stock shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the preferred stock of this series and the other series of preferred stock, which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, bear to each other. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of this series which may be in arrears.

        Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless (1) if this series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on the preferred stock of this series have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, and (2) if this series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of this series have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, no dividends, other than in shares of common stock or other stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of this series as to dividends and upon liquidation, shall be declared and paid or declared and set aside for payment or other distribution shall be declared and made upon the common stock, or any of our other stock ranking junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of this series as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, nor shall any shares of common stock, or any other of our capital stock ranking junior to or on a parity with the preferred stock of this series as to dividends or upon liquidation, be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any of the shares by us except:

        Any dividend payment made on shares of a series of preferred stock shall first be credited against the earliest accrued but unpaid dividend due with respect to shares of that series which remains payable.

Redemption

        If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, as a whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the prospectus supplement.

        The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of the preferred stock that shall be redeemed by us in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon which shall not, if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods, to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash or other property, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the redemption price for preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our stock, the terms of that preferred stock may provide that, if no such stock shall have been issued or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, that preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into shares of our applicable stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless (1) if this series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all shares of any series of preferred stock shall have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set

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apart for payment for all past dividend periods, and (2) if this series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of any series have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, no shares of any series of preferred stock shall be redeemed unless all outstanding preferred stock of this series is simultaneously redeemed; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of preferred stock of this series to preserve our REIT qualification or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of this series. In addition, unless (a) if this series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, full cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for all past dividend periods, and (b) if this series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, full dividends on the preferred stock of any series have been, or contemporaneously are, declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for payment for the then current dividend period, we shall not purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of preferred stock of this series except by conversion into, or exchange for, our capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of this series as to dividends and upon liquidation; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of preferred stock of this series to preserve our REIT qualification or pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of this series.

        If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, the number of shares to be redeemed will be determined by us and the shares may be redeemed pro rata from the holders of record of the shares in proportion to the number of the shares held, or for which redemption is requested, by the holder, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares, or by lot in a manner determined by us.

        Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on our stock transfer books. Each notice shall state:

        If fewer than all the shares of preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each holder thereof shall also specify the number of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed from each holder. If notice of redemption of any preferred stock has been given and if the funds necessary for the redemption have been set aside by us in trust for the benefit of the holders of any preferred stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will cease to accumulate on the preferred stock, and all rights of the holders of the preferred stock will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.

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Liquidation Preference

        Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any common stock or any other class or series of our stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of this series in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of the preferred stock shall be entitled to receive out of our company's assets legally available for distribution to stockholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share that is set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, plus an amount equal to all dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon, which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if the preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will have no rights or claim to any of our remaining assets. In the event that, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all outstanding preferred stock of this series and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of capital stock of our company ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other classes or series of capital stock shall share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

        Our consolidation or merger with or into any other entity, or the merger of another entity with or into our company, or a statutory share exchange by us, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company.

        In determining whether a distribution (other than upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation), by dividend, redemption or other acquisition of shares of our stock or otherwise, is permitted under Maryland law, amounts that would be needed, if we were to be dissolved at the time of distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of holders of shares of the preferred stock will not be added to our total liabilities.

Voting

        Holders of the preferred stock will not have any voting rights, except as set forth below or as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Whenever dividends on any series of preferred stock shall be in arrears for six or more quarterly periods, the holders of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class with all other series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors of our company at a special meeting called by the holders of record of at least ten percent of any series of preferred stock so in arrears, unless the request is received less than 90 days before the date fixed for the next annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and at each subsequent annual meeting until (1) if this series of preferred stock has a cumulative dividend, all dividends accumulated on these shares of preferred stock for the past dividend periods shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment or (2) if this series of preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend, four quarterly dividends shall have been fully paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set aside for payment. In these cases, the entire board of directors will be increased by two directors.

        Unless provided otherwise for any series of preferred stock, so long as any shares of the preferred stock remain outstanding, we will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least

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two-thirds of the shares of this series of preferred stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting with this series voting separately as a class:

provided, however, with respect to the occurrence of any of the events set forth in (2) above, so long as this series of preferred stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, taking into account that upon the occurrence of an event we may not be the surviving entity, the occurrence of any similar event shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of this series of preferred stock; and provided, further, that (a) any increase in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the creation or issuance of any other series of preferred stock, or (b) any increase in the number of authorized shares of this series of preferred stock or any other series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or junior to the preferred stock of this series with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

        The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which the vote or consent would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of this series of preferred stock shall have been converted, redeemed or called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect the redemption.

Conversion Rights

        The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any shares of any class or series of preferred stock are convertible into shares of common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include the number of shares of common stock into which the shares of preferred stock are convertible, the conversion price, or manner of calculation thereof, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of the holders of such class or series of preferred stock or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of the redemption of such class or series of preferred stock.

Power to Increase Authorized Stock and Issue Additional Shares of Our Preferred Stock

        Our board of directors has the power, without stockholder approval, to amend our charter from time to time to increase the number of authorized shares of stock, to cause us to issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued shares of our preferred stock and thereafter to cause us to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock. The additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless stockholder consent is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our board of directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stockholders or otherwise be in their best interest.

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Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        To assist us in complying with certain United States federal income tax requirements applicable to REITs, we have adopted certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our common stock. We expect to adopt similar restrictions with respect to any class or series of preferred stock offered pursuant to this prospectus under the articles supplementary for each such class or series. The applicable prospectus supplement will specify any additional ownership limitation relating to such class or series. See "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer."


DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        We may, at our option, elect to offer depositary shares rather than full shares of preferred stock. Each depositary share will represent ownership of and entitlement to all rights and preferences of a fraction of a share of preferred stock of a specified series (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). The applicable fraction will be specified in a prospectus supplement. The shares of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares will be deposited with a depositary named in the applicable prospectus supplement, under a deposit agreement, among us, the depositary and the holders of the certificates evidencing depositary shares, or depositary receipts. Depositary receipts will be delivered to those persons purchasing depositary shares in the offering. The depositary will be the transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent for the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts agree to be bound by the deposit agreement, which requires holders to take certain actions such as filing proof of residence and paying certain charges.

        The summary of the terms of the depositary shares contained in this prospectus does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the deposit agreement, our charter and the form of articles supplementary for the applicable class or series of preferred stock.

Dividends

        The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, which will be the same date as the record date fixed by us for the applicable series of preferred stock. The depositary, however, will distribute only such amount as can be distributed without attributing to any depositary share a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed will be added to and treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary receipts then outstanding.

        In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts entitled thereto, in proportion, as nearly as may be practicable, to the number of depositary shares owned by such holders on the relevant record date, unless the depositary determines (after consultation with us) that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the depositary may (with our approval) adopt any other method for such distribution as it deems equitable and appropriate, including the sale of such property (at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem equitable and appropriate) and distribution of the net proceeds from such sale to such holders.

        Any distribution made in respect of any depositary share to the extent that it represents any preferred stock transferred to a trust for the purpose of preserving our qualification as a REIT will be paid to the trustee of the trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary designated by us.

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Liquidation Preference

        In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of each depositary share will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Conversion

        The depositary shares generally will not be convertible into our common stock or any of our other securities or property, except in connection with certain conversions to preserve our status as a REIT. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to an offering of depositary shares, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by holders thereof to the preferred stock depositary with written instructions to the preferred stock depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of a class or series of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by those depositary receipts into whole shares of our common stock, other shares of a class or series of preferred stock or other shares of stock, and we have agreed that upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable in respect thereof, we will cause the conversion thereof utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect that conversion. If the depositary shares evidenced by a depositary receipt are to be converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if that conversion would result in a fractional share being issued, an amount will be paid in cash by us equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.

Redemption

        If the series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares is redeemable, such depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of preferred stock held by the depositary. Whenever we redeem any preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock so redeemed. The depositary will mail the notice of redemption promptly upon receipt of such notice from us and not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption of the preferred stock and the depositary shares to the record holders of the depositary receipts.

Voting

        Promptly upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the series of preferred stock represented by the applicable series of depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts as of the record date for such meeting. Each such record holder of depositary receipts will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock represented by such record holder's depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote such preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting any of the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary receipts.

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Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

        Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and payment of any unpaid amount due the depositary, and subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, the owner of the depositary shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by such depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such shares under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Amendment and Termination of Deposit Agreement

        The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders (other than any change in fees) of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. No such amendment may impair the right, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, of any owner of any depositary shares to surrender the depositary receipt evidencing such depositary shares with instructions to the depositary to deliver to the holder of the preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.

        The deposit agreement will be permitted to be terminated by us upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the applicable depositary if (1) such termination is necessary to preserve our status as a REIT or (2) a majority of each series of preferred stock affected by such termination consents to such termination, whereupon such depositary will be required to deliver or make available to each holder of depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts together with any other property held by such depositary with respect to such depositary receipts. We will agree that if the deposit agreement is terminated to preserve our status as a REIT, then we will use our best efforts to list the preferred stock issued upon surrender of the related depositary shares on a national securities exchange. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all outstanding depositary shares thereunder shall have been redeemed, (b) there shall have been a final distribution in respect of the related preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company and such distribution shall have been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares representing such preferred stock or (c) each share of the related preferred stock shall have been converted into stock of our company not so represented by depositary shares.

Charges of Depositary

        We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and initial issuance of the depositary shares, and redemption of the preferred stock and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income and other taxes and governmental charges and certain other charges as are provided in the deposit agreement for their accounts. In certain circumstances, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, may withhold dividends and distributions and sell the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipt if such charges are not paid. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information with respect to fees and charges, if any, in connection

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with the deposit or substitution of the underlying securities, the receipt and distribution of dividends, the sale or exercise of rights, the withdrawal of the underlying security, and the transferring, splitting or grouping of receipts. The applicable prospectus supplement will also include information with respect to the right to collect the fees and charges, if any, against dividends received and deposited securities.

Miscellaneous

        The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary receipts all notices, reports and proxy soliciting material from us which are delivered to the depositary and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. In addition, the depositary will make available for inspection by holders of depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary, and at such other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any notices, reports and proxy soliciting material received from us which are received by the depositary as the holder of preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will include information about the rights, if any, of holders of receipts to inspect the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of receipts.

        Neither the depositary nor our company assumes any obligation, or will be subject to any liability under the deposit agreement, to holders of depositary receipts other than for its negligence or willful misconduct. Neither the depositary nor our company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of our company and the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder, and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Our company and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of the depositary receipts or other persons believed in good faith to be competent to give such information and on documents believed to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

        In the event the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on such claims, requests or instructions received from us.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice for resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $150,000,000.


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares or attached to or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement between us and a bank or trust company as warrant agent, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not act for or on behalf of warrant holders. The following sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that may be offered under this registration statement. Further terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent

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information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, where applicable, the following:

        Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations and warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise or to any dividend payments or voting rights as to which holders of the depositary shares, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock purchasable upon such exercise may be entitled.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such number of depositary shares, shares of common stock or shares of preferred stock, at such exercise price as shall, in each case, be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date set forth in applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.

        Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If

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less than all of the warrants are presented by such warrant certificate of exercise, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.


DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

        We may issue rights to our stockholders for the purchase of shares of our common stock. Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of rights. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. The statements made in this section relating to the rights are summaries only. These summaries are not complete. To the extent information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. For more detail, we refer you to the rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference in, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the rights to be issued, including the following, where applicable:

Exercise of Rights

        Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.

        Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a

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combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.


DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        We may issue units consisting of two or more other constituent securities. These units may be issuable, and for a specified period of time may be transferable, only as a single security, rather than as the separate constituent securities comprising such units. The statements made in this section relating to the units are summaries only. These summaries are not complete. When we issue units, we will provide the specific terms of the units in a prospectus supplement. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

        When we issue units, we will provide in a prospectus supplement the following terms of the units being issued:

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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER

        The following is a summary of the general terms and provisions of our charter documents regarding restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our stock. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our charter. Copies of our charter documents are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated by reference herein. See "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."

        To qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, our stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of twelve months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities such as qualified pension plans) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).

        Our charter contains restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our common stock and outstanding capital stock which are intended to assist us in complying with these requirements and continuing to qualify as a REIT, among other purposes. The relevant sections of our charter provide that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity (other than a designated investment entity) may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock (the common stock ownership limit) or 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding capital stock (the aggregate stock ownership limit). No designated investment entity (as defined in our charter) may beneficially own, or be deemed to own by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Code, more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding capital stock. We refer to these restrictions as the "ownership limits." In addition, different excepted holder ownership limits apply to the family of Kenneth M. Woolley, a director and our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certain of his affiliates, family members and estates and trusts formed for the benefit of the foregoing and Spencer F. Kirk, our current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, certain of his affiliates, family members and estates and trusts formed for the benefit of the foregoing. A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as set forth below, is referred to as a "purported beneficial transferee" if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of our common stock, or is referred to as a "purported record transferee" if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been solely a record owner of our common stock.

        Our charter defines a "designated investment entity" as:

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        The constructive ownership rules under the Code are complex and may cause stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, our capital stock by an individual or entity), could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding common stock or 7.0% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our outstanding capital stock, and thereby violate one or more of the applicable ownership limits.

        Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the applicable ownership limit with respect to a particular stockholder if:

        As a condition of our waiver, our board of directors may require an opinion of counsel or an Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, ruling satisfactory to our board of directors with respect to our REIT qualification. Notwithstanding the receipt of any such opinion or ruling, our board of directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such waiver.

        In connection with the waiver of an ownership limit or at any other time, our board of directors may from time to time increase or decrease the ownership limit for all other persons and entities; provided, however, that any decrease may be made only prospectively as to subsequent holders (other than a decrease as a result of a retroactive change in existing law, in which case the decrease shall be effective immediately); and the ownership limit may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five persons (other than a designated investment entity) could beneficially own or constructively own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% of the value of our shares then outstanding. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership in our common stock or capital stock, as applicable, is in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person or entity's percentage of our common stock or our capital stock, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of our common stock or capital stock, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership of our common stock or capital stock will be in violation of the ownership limit.

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        Our charter provisions further prohibit:

        Any person who acquires or attempts to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock that will, or may, violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, will be required to give written notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer or attempted transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

        Pursuant to our charter, if any transfer of common stock would result in such shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. In addition, if any purported transfer of our capital stock, or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limits, or such other limit as established by our board of directors, or in our being "closely held" under Section 856(h) of the Code, or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause us to violate such restrictions will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by us and the intended transferees will acquire no rights in such shares. The trustee of the trust will have all of the voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported record transferee, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary of the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent the violation, then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the intended transferees will acquire no rights in such shares.

        Shares of our capital stock transferred to the trustee are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported record transferee for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares of our stock at market price, the last reported sales price on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of our stock to the trust) and (2) the market price on the date we accept, or our designee accepts, such offer. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee has sold the shares of our capital stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates and the trustee must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported record transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such capital stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

        If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limits. After that, the trustee must distribute to the purported record transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported

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record transferee for the shares (or, if the event which resulted in the transfer to the trust did not involve a purchase of such shares at market price, the last reported sales price reported on the trading day immediately preceding the relevant date) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. The purported beneficial transferee or purported record transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

        The trustee shall be designated by us and shall be unaffiliated with us and with any purported record transferee or purported beneficial transferee. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary, all dividends and other distributions paid by us with respect to the shares, and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares.

        Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee shall have the authority, at the trustee's sole discretion:

        However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

        Any beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our capital stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our capital stock for a beneficial owner must, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, provide us with a completed questionnaire containing the information regarding their ownership of such shares, as set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations. In addition, any person or entity that is a beneficial owner or constructive owner of shares of our capital stock and any person or entity (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of our capital stock for a beneficial owner or constructive owner shall, on request, be required to disclose to us in writing such information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such stockholder's actual and constructive ownership of shares of our capital stock on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit, or as otherwise permitted by our board of directors.

        All certificates, if any, representing shares of our capital stock bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

        These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company that might involve a premium price for our stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF EXTRA SPACE STORAGE LP

        The following is a summary of the material provisions in the partnership agreement of our operating partnership. For more detail, you should refer to the partnership agreement itself, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information." For purposes of this section, references to "we," "our," "us," and "our company" refer to Extra Space Storage Inc.

General; Management

        Our operating partnership was formed on May 5, 2004. As of June 30, 2011, our operating partnership had outstanding 97,293,238 common OP units and 989,980 Series A Participating Redeemable Preferred Units, which we refer to as preferred OP units. Of the common OP units, we hold 94,243,303 through two wholly owned Massachusetts business trusts, one of which is the sole general partner of the operating partnership and the other is a limited partner. The remaining 3,049,935 common OP units are held by other limited partners. Pursuant to the partnership agreement, through our ownership of the operating partnership's sole general partner, we have, subject to certain protective rights of limited partners described below, full, exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the management and control of the operating partnership, including the ability to cause the operating partnership to enter into certain major transactions, including a merger of the operating partnership or a sale of substantially all of its assets.

        Our operating partnership's limited partners expressly acknowledged that, as the sole owner of the general partner interests through a wholly owned Massachusetts business trust, we are acting for the benefit of the operating partnership, the limited partners and our stockholders collectively. We are under no obligation to give priority to the separate interests of the limited partners or our stockholders in deciding whether to cause the operating partnership to take, or decline to take, any actions.

Management Liability and Indemnification

        The general partner and its trustees and officers are not liable to the operating partnership for losses sustained, liabilities incurred or benefits not derived as a result of errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission, so long as it acted in good faith. The partnership agreement provides for indemnification of us, any of our directors, and both our operating partnership's and our officers or employees and other persons as our operating partnership may designate from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, fines, settlements and other amounts incurred in connection with any actions relating to our operating partnership's operations, as set forth in the partnership agreement (subject to the exceptions described below under "—Fiduciary Responsibilities").

Fiduciary Responsibilities

        Our directors and officers have duties under applicable Maryland law to manage our company in a manner reasonably believed to be in the best interests of our company. At the same time, our operating partnership's general partner has fiduciary duties to manage our operating partnership in a manner beneficial to the operating partnership and its limited partners. Our duties, through the general partner, to our operating partnership and its limited partners, therefore, may come into conflict with the duties of our directors and officers to our company.

        The partnership agreement expressly limits our liability and that of the general partner by providing that we and our officers and directors and the general partner and its officers and trustees are not liable or accountable in damages to the operating partnership, its limited partners or assignees for errors in judgment or mistakes of fact or law or of any act or omission if we or our director or officer acted in good faith. In addition, our operating partnership is required to indemnify us, the

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general partner, a trustee of the general partner, our directors, officers and employees and the directors, officers and employees of our operating partnership to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines and other actions incurred by our operating partnership or the other persons in connection with any actions relating to our operating partnership's operations, provided that our operating partnership will not indemnify for willful misconduct or a knowing violation of the law or any transaction for which the person received an improper personal benefit in violation or breach of any provision of the partnership agreement.

Distributions

        The partnership agreement provides that holders of OP units are entitled to receive quarterly distributions of available cash (1) first, to holders of preferred OP units (a) pro rata in proportion to their respective percentage interests, an amount equal to a fixed priority return of 5.0% on a stated amount of $115.0 million, and (b) the distributions that holders of preferred OP units would be entitled to receive if the preferred OP units were treated as part of a single class of units with common OP units and the preferred OP units shared in distribution with the common OP units pursuant to clause (3) below proportionately based on the total aggregate number of outstanding preferred OP units and common OP units, (2) second, with respect to any OP units that are entitled to any preference, other than the preferred OP units, with their respective percentage interests and (3) third, with respect to any OP units that are not entitled to any preference in distribution, in accordance with the rights of such class of OP unit (and, within such class, pro rata in accordance with their respective percentage interests).

Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss

        Net income and net loss of our operating partnership are determined and allocated with respect to each fiscal year of our operating partnership as of the end of the year. Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, an allocation of a share of net income or net loss is treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing net income or net loss. Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, (1) net income generally is allocated first to the partners to the extent they have been allocated net loss previously, then to partners holding preferred OP units until such partners have been allocated net income equal to their preferred return, and finally to partners holding common OP units pro rata in accordance with such partners' percentage interests; and (2) net loss generally is allocated in the reverse order of net income, but only to the extent such allocation of net loss will not cause a partner to have an adjusted capital account deficit or increase any existing adjusted capital account deficit, with any residual net loss being allocated to us as the general partner of our operating partnership. The partnership agreement contains provisions for special allocations intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Except as otherwise provided in the partnership agreement, for U.S. federal income tax purposes under the Code and the Treasury Regulations, each operating partnership item of income, gain, loss and deduction is allocated among the operating partnership's limited partners in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to the partnership agreement.

Redemption Rights

        After the first anniversary of becoming a holder of common OP units, each of the limited partners of our operating partnership has the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the partnership agreement, to require our operating partnership to redeem all or a portion of the common OP units held by the party in exchange for a cash amount equal to the value of its common OP units,

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unless the terms of such common OP units or a separate agreement entered into between our operating partnership and the holder of such OP units provide that they are not entitled to a right of redemption. On or before the close of business on the tenth business day after our operating partnership receives a notice of redemption, we may, in our sole and absolute discretion, but subject to the restrictions on the ownership of our common stock imposed under our charter and the transfer restrictions and other limitations thereof, elect to acquire some or all of the tendered common OP units from the tendering party in exchange for shares of our common stock, based on an exchange ratio of one share of our common stock for each common OP unit (subject to antidilution adjustments provided in the partnership agreement).

        Each holder of preferred OP units has the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the partnership agreement or in any separate agreement that provides otherwise, to require our operating partnership to redeem all or a portion of its preferred OP units in exchange for a cash amount equal to, per preferred OP unit, the sum of (1) $115.0 million divided by the total number of preferred OP units outstanding, (2) any unpaid distributions with respect to such preferred OP unit and (3) the average closing price of our common stock on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the date of determination, multiplied by a factor that is adjusted for stock dividends, splits (reverse or otherwise) or subdivisions, which sum we refer to as the preferred OP unit redemption amount. We may, in our sole and absolute discretion, but subject to the restrictions on the ownership of our common stock imposed under our charter and the transfer restrictions and other limitations thereof, elect to acquire some or all of the tendered preferred OP units from the tendering party in exchange for the number of shares of our common stock equal to the preferred OP unit redemption amount divided by the average closing price of our common stock on the NYSE for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the date of determination. Pursuant to a separate agreement with the holders of our preferred OP units, a maximum of 116.0 million shares of our common stock may be issued upon redemption of the preferred OP units, after which we will have no further obligations with respect to the redeemed or any other remaining preferred OP units.

Transferability of OP Units

        In general, the general partner may not voluntarily withdraw from our operating partnership or transfer all or a portion of its interest in our operating partnership unless the holders of limited partnership interests entitled to vote consent by approval of a majority in interest or immediately after a merger of us into another entity. With certain limited exceptions, the limited partners may not transfer their interests, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the general partner, which consent may be withheld in the general partner's sole discretion.

Issuance of OP Units or Our Stock

        We, through our ownership of our operating partnership's sole general partner, have the ability to cause our operating partnership to issue additional partnership interests in the form of OP units. These additional OP units may include preference terms with provisions and rights that are preferential to those of common OP units. However, so long as the preferred OP units remain issued and outstanding, our operating partnership may not (1) (a) authorize or issue any securities, (b) reclassify any OP units into interests or (c) authorize or issue any debt convertible into or exchangeable for OP units, in each case having any preference as to or on parity with the dividend or redemption rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights, voting rights or any other rights or privileges of the preferred OP units, or (2) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to the partnership agreement if such actions would alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or restrictions provided for the benefit of the preferred OP units.

        In addition, upon the issuance of our stock other than in connection with a redemption of OP units, we will generally be obligated to contribute or cause to be contributed the cash proceeds or

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other consideration received from the issuance to our operating partnership in exchange for, in the case of common stock, OP units, or in the case of an issuance of preferred stock, preferred OP units with designations, preferences and other rights, terms and provisions that are substantially the same as the designations, preferences and other rights, terms and provisions of the preferred stock.

Tax Matters

        Pursuant to the partnership agreement, the general partner is the operating partnership's tax matters partner. Accordingly, through its role as the general partner, it has the authority to handle or cause to be handled tax audits and to make or cause to be made tax elections under the Code on the operating partnership's behalf.

Term

        The term of the operating partnership commenced on May 5, 2004 and will continue until December 31, 2104, unless one of the following events takes place:

        Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events, and subject to the terms of the partnership agreement, after any appropriate allocation of net income and net loss, distributions to the partners of our operating partnership will be made first to the holders of preferred OP units (and proportionately among those holders) in an amount equal to the preferred OP unit redemption amount for each preferred OP unit, and thereafter to the holders of other OP units. However, the voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property or assets of the operating partnership to, or the consolidation or merger or other business combination of the operating partnership with or into, any corporation, trust or other entity (or of any corporation, trust or other entity with or into the operating partnership) will not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the operating partnership for these purposes.

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW AND OF OUR CHARTER AND BYLAWS

        The following summary of certain provisions of Maryland law and of our charter and bylaws is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and our charter and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

Our Board of Directors

        Our bylaws provide that the number of directors of our company may be established by our board of directors but may not be fewer than the minimum number permitted under the MGCL nor more than 15. Except as may be provided by our board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy may be filled, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and the director elected to fill the vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

        Each of our directors is elected by our common stockholders entitled to vote to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Holders of shares of our common stock will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote will be able to elect all of our directors (subject to the rights of our preferred stock and any other class or series of stock to elect directors).

Removal of Directors

        Our charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, a director may be removed only for cause (as defined in our charter) and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes of stockholders entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. This provision, when coupled with the exclusive power of our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, precludes stockholders from removing incumbent directors except upon the existence of cause for removal and a substantial affirmative vote, and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees.

Business Combinations

        Under the MGCL, certain "business combinations" (including a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder (i.e., any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation's outstanding voting stock or an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the corporation) or an affiliate of such an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Thereafter, any such business combination must be recommended by the board of directors of such corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least (1) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation and (2) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the

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board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. Our board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance with any terms and conditions determined by it.

        These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Pursuant to the statute, our board of directors has by resolution exempted Kenneth M. Woolley, his affiliates and associates and all persons acting in concert with the foregoing, and Spencer F. Kirk, his affiliates and associates and all persons acting in concert with the foregoing, from these provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and any person described above. As a result, any person described above may be able to enter into business combinations with us that may not be in the best interests of our stockholders without compliance by our company with the supermajority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute.

Control Share Acquisitions

        The MGCL provides that holders of "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved at a special meeting by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares of stock in a corporation in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of shares of stock of the corporation in the election of directors: (1) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition, (2) an officer of the corporation or (3) an employee of the corporation who is also a director of the corporation. "Control shares" are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other such shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: (a) one-tenth or more but less than one-third, (b) one-third or more but less than a majority, or (c) a majority or more of all voting power. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

        A person who has made, or proposes to make, a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions (including an undertaking to pay expenses), may compel our board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand and undertaking to pay expenses to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

        If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the corporation may redeem any or all of the control shares (except those for which voting rights have previously been approved) for fair value determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of such appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

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        The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future.

Other Anti-Takeover Provisions of Maryland Law

        Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and with at least three independent directors to elect to be subject by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws, to any or all of five provisions:

        Pursuant to Subtitle 8, we have elected to provide that vacancies on our board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already (1) require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter for the removal of any director from the board, which removal is only allowed for cause, (2) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships and (3) require the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting to call a special meeting of our stockholders, unless such meeting is called by our chairman of the board, our president, our chief executive officer or the board.

Amendment to Our Charter and Bylaws

        Except for amendments relating to removal of directors and the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and amendments relating to the vote required to amend these provisions (which each require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter), our charter may be amended only if declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

        Our board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

Dissolution of Our Company

        The dissolution of our company must be declared advisable by a majority of our entire board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

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Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

        Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws.

        With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to our board of directors may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of our board of directors or (3) provided that our board of directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

        Generally, under our bylaws, a stockholder seeking to nominate a director or bring other business before our annual meeting of stockholders must deliver a notice to our secretary not later than the close of business on the 120th day, nor earlier than the 150th day, prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior year's annual meeting. In addition, a stockholder seeking to nominate a director at a special meeting of stockholders must deliver notice to our secretary not earlier than the 150th day prior to such special meeting nor later than the later of the 120th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by our board of directors to be elected at such meeting. For a stockholder seeking to nominate a candidate for our board of directors, the notice must describe various matters regarding the nominee, including name, address, occupation and number of shares held, and other specified matters. For a stockholder seeking to propose other business, the notice must include a description of the proposed business, the reasons for the proposal and other specified matters.

Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of Our Charter and Bylaws

        Our charter and bylaws and Maryland law contain provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a change of control or other transaction that might involve a premium price for our stock or otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders, including business combination provisions, supermajority vote and cause requirements for removal of directors and advance notice requirements for director nominations and stockholder proposals. Likewise, if the provision in the bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were rescinded, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.

Indemnification and Limitation of Directors' and Officers' Liability

        Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (1) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (2) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

        The MGCL requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our company's charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its

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present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:

        However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of:

        Our charter authorizes us to obligate us and our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:

        Our charter and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of directors, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.

        The partnership agreement provides that we, as general partner, and our officers and directors are indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law. See "Description of the Partnership Agreement of Extra Space Storage LP—Management Liability and Indemnification."

        We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among other matters, that we indemnify our directors and executive officers to the maximum extent permitted by law and advance to the directors and executive officers all related expenses, subject to reimbursement if it is subsequently determined that indemnification is not permitted. Under these agreements, we must also indemnify and advance all expenses incurred by directors and executive officers seeking to enforce their rights under the indemnification agreements and may cover directors and executive officers under our directors' and officers' liability insurance. Although indemnification agreements offer substantially the same scope of

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coverage afforded under the bylaws, they provide greater assurance to directors and executive officers that indemnification will be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally in the future by the board of directors to eliminate the rights they provide.

        Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of directors, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

REIT Qualification

        Our charter provides that our board of directors may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our stockholders, if it determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

        The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences regarding our company and to holders of our capital stock. For purposes of this discussion, references to "we," "our" and "us" mean only Extra Space Storage Inc., and do not include any of its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is for general information only and is not tax advice. The information in this summary is based on:

in each case, as of the date of this prospectus. In addition, the administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS include its practices and policies as expressed in private letter rulings that are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings. Future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and practices and/or court decisions may adversely affect the tax considerations contained in this discussion. Any such change could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. We have not requested and do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS that we qualify as a REIT, and the statements in this prospectus are not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, we can provide no assurance that the tax considerations contained in this discussion will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a court if challenged by the IRS. This summary does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any tax consequences arising under any federal tax other than the income tax, associated with the purchase, ownership, or disposition of our capital stock or our election to be taxed as a REIT.

You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to you of:

Taxation of Our Company

General

        We elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner which has allowed us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and we intend to continue to be organized and operate in this manner. However, qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have been organized or have operated in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See "—Failure to Qualify."

        The sections of the Code and the corresponding Treasury Regulations that relate to qualification and taxation as a REIT are highly technical and complex. The following discussion sets forth certain

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material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof.

        Latham & Watkins LLP has acted as our tax counsel in connection with this prospectus. Latham & Watkins LLP has rendered an opinion to us to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2004, we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, and our proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. It must be emphasized that this opinion was based on various assumptions and representations as to factual matters, including representations made by us in a factual certificate provided by one of our officers. In addition, this opinion was based upon our factual representations set forth in this prospectus. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon our ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, which are discussed below, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been, and will not be, reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy those requirements. Further, the anticipated U.S. federal income tax treatment described in this discussion may be changed, perhaps retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time. Latham & Watkins LLP has no obligation to update its opinion subsequent to the date of such opinion.

        Provided we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on our net income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" that ordinarily results from investment in a C corporation. A C corporation is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the stockholder level when the income is distributed. We will, however, be required to pay U.S. federal income tax as follows:

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        We and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including payroll taxes and state and local income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. In addition, other countries may impose taxes on our property or operations within their jurisdictions. To the extent possible, we will structure our activities to minimize our foreign tax liability. However, there can be no assurance that we will always be able to eliminate or reduce our foreign tax liability. Furthermore, as a REIT, neither we nor our stockholders are likely to derive any significant benefit from any foreign tax credits arising from the payment of those taxes.

        Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.    The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

        The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), the term "individual" includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but generally does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

        We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has allowed us to satisfy conditions (1) through (7) inclusive, during the relevant time periods. In addition, our charter provides for restrictions regarding ownership and transfer of our shares which are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. A description of the share ownership and transfer restrictions relating to our capital stock is contained in the discussion under the heading "Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer." These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (5) and (6) above. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. See "—Failure to Qualify."

        In addition, we may not maintain our status as a REIT unless our taxable year is the calendar year. We have, and will continue to have, a calendar taxable year.

        Ownership of Interests in Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies.    In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership or a member in a limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S.

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federal income tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% asset test described below. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of the income of that entity. The assets and gross income of the partnership or limited liability company retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our pro rata share of the assets and items of income of our operating partnership, including our operating partnership's share of these items of any partnership or limited liability company treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which it owns an interest, is treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this discussion, including the gross income and asset tests described below. A brief summary of the rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of partnerships and limited liability companies is set forth below in "—Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies."

        We have control of our operating partnership and most of the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies and intend to operate them in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT. We are a limited partner or non-managing member in some of our partnerships and limited liability companies. If a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest takes, or expects to take, actions that could jeopardize our status as a REIT or require us to pay tax, we may be forced to dispose of our interest in such entity. In addition, it is possible that a partnership or limited liability company could take an action which could cause us to fail a gross income or asset test, and that we would not become aware of such action in time to dispose of our interest in the partnership or limited liability company or take other corrective action on a timely basis. In that case, we could fail to qualify as a REIT unless we were entitled to relief, as described below.

        Qualified REIT Subsidiaries.    We own and operate certain properties through subsidiaries that we intend to be treated as "qualified REIT subsidiaries" under the Code. A corporation will qualify as our qualified REIT subsidiary if we own 100% of the corporation's outstanding stock and do not elect with the subsidiary to treat it as a "taxable REIT subsidiary," as described below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a separate corporation, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the parent REIT for all purposes under the Code, including all REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the federal tax requirements described in this discussion, any qualified REIT subsidiaries we own are ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such corporations are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described below under "—Asset Tests." This treatment also applies to other subsidiaries of a REIT that are treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as the business trusts we own.

        Ownership of Interests in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries.    We currently hold an interest in a number of taxable REIT subsidiaries and may acquire securities in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with such REIT to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. If a taxable REIT subsidiary owns more than 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of another corporation, such other corporation will also be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a taxable REIT subsidiary may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A taxable REIT subsidiary is subject to U.S. federal income tax as a regular C corporation. In addition, a taxable REIT subsidiary may be prevented

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from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain tests regarding the taxable REIT subsidiary's debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. A REIT's ownership of securities of a taxable REIT subsidiary is not subject to the 5% or 10% asset test described below. See "—Asset Tests."

Income Tests

        We must satisfy two gross income requirements annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, in each taxable year we must derive directly or indirectly at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, and certain foreign currency gains) from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including "rents from real property" and, in certain circumstances, interest, or certain types of temporary investments. Second, in each taxable year we must derive at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions, certain hedging transactions, and certain foreign currency gains) from the real property investments described above or dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, or any combination of the foregoing. For these purposes, the term "interest" generally does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of all or some of the amount depends in any way on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from the term "interest" solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales.

        Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as "rents from real property" for the purpose of satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following conditions are met:

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        We generally do not intend, and as a general partner of our operating partnership, do not intend to permit our operating partnership, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail to satisfy the rental conditions described above. However, we may intentionally fail to satisfy some of these conditions to the extent we determine, based on the advice of our tax counsel, that the failure will not jeopardize our tax status as a REIT. In addition, with respect to the limitation on the rental of personal property, we have not obtained appraisals of the real property and personal property leased to tenants. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with our determinations of value.

        From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Our hedging activities may include entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures and forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, that is clearly identified as a hedging transaction as specified in the Code will not constitute gross income and thus will be exempt from the 95% gross income test to the extent such a hedging transaction is entered into on or after January 1, 2005, and will not constitute gross income and thus will be exempt from the 75% gross income test to the extent such hedging transaction is entered into after July 30, 2008. Income and gain from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, entered into on or prior to July 30, 2008 will be treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Income and gain from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, entered into prior to January 1, 2005 will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The term "hedging transaction," as used above, generally means any transaction we enter into in the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of (1) interest rate changes or fluctuations with respect to borrowings made, or to be made, by us to acquire or carry real estate assets, or (2) for hedging transactions, currency fluctuations with respect to an item of qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which generates such income). To the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges or we hedge with other types of financial instruments, the income from those transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

        We have made an investment in certain entities located in Mexico. In addition, from time to time we may acquire additional properties outside of the United States, through a taxable REIT subsidiary or otherwise. These acquisitions could cause us to incur foreign currency gains or losses. Prior to July 30, 2008, the characterization of any such foreign currency gains for purposes of the REIT gross income tests was unclear, though the IRS had indicated that REITs may apply the principles of proposed Treasury Regulations to determine whether such foreign currency gain constitutes qualifying income under the REIT income tests. As a result, we anticipated that any foreign currency gain we recognized relating to rents we receive from any property located in Mexico were qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Any foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008, to the extent attributable to specified items of qualifying income or gain, or specified qualifying

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assets, however, generally will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, and therefore will be excluded from these tests.

        To the extent our taxable REIT subsidiaries pay dividends, we generally will derive our allocable share of such dividend income through our interest in our operating partnership. Such dividend income will qualify under the 95%, but not the 75%, gross income test.

        We will monitor the amount of the dividend and other income from our taxable REIT subsidiaries and will take actions intended to keep this income, and any other nonqualifying income, within the limitations of the gross income tests. Although we expect these actions will be sufficient to prevent a violation of the gross income tests, we cannot guarantee that such actions will in all cases prevent such a violation.

        If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. We generally may make use of the relief provisions if:

        It is not possible, however, to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. For example, if we fail to satisfy the gross income tests because nonqualifying income that we intentionally accrue or receive exceeds the limits on nonqualifying income, the IRS could conclude that our failure to satisfy the tests was not due to reasonable cause. If these relief provisions do not apply to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above in "—Taxation of Our Company—General," even if these relief provisions apply, and we retain our status as a REIT, a tax would be imposed with respect to our nonqualifying income. We may not always be able to comply with the gross income tests for REIT qualification despite periodic monitoring of our income.

        Prohibited Transaction Income.    Any gain that we realize (including net foreign currency gain recognized after July 30, 2008) on the sale of property held as inventory or otherwise held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by our operating partnership, either directly or through its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, will be treated as income from a prohibited transaction that is subject to a 100% penalty tax, unless certain safe harbor exceptions apply. This prohibited transaction income may also adversely affect our ability to satisfy the gross income tests for qualification as a REIT. Under existing law, whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction. Our operating partnership intends to hold its properties for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, to engage in the business of acquiring, developing and owning its properties and to make occasional sales of the properties as are consistent with our operating partnership's investment objectives. Except as provided below, we do not intend to permit our operating partnership to enter into any sales that are prohibited transactions. However, the IRS may successfully contend that some or all of the sales made by our operating partnership or its subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies are prohibited transactions. We would be required to pay the 100% penalty tax on our allocable share of the gains resulting from any such sales. We are an indirect partner or member in certain partnerships or limited liability companies which sell locks, boxes and packing materials to tenants. We report our allocable share of the income from these activities as prohibited transaction income.

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        Penalty Tax.    Any redetermined rents, redetermined deductions or excess interest we generate will be subject to a 100% penalty tax. In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of any services furnished to any of our tenants by one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries, and redetermined deductions and excess interest represent any amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm's length negotiations. Rents we receive will not constitute redetermined rents if they qualify for certain safe harbor provisions contained in the Code.

        From time to time our taxable REIT subsidiaries may provide services to our tenants. We believe we have set, and we intend to continue to set, any fees paid to our taxable REIT subsidiaries for such services at arm's length rates, although the amounts paid may not satisfy the safe-harbor provisions described above. These determinations are inherently factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to clearly reflect their respective incomes. If the IRS successfully made such an assertion, we would be required to pay a 100% penalty tax on the excess of an arm's length fee for tenant services over the amount actually paid.

Asset Tests

        At the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items and government securities. For purposes of this test, the term "real estate assets" generally means real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) and shares (or transferable certificates of beneficial interest) in other REITs, as well as any stock or debt instrument attributable to the investment of the proceeds of a stock offering or a public offering of debt with a term of at least five years, but only for the one-year period beginning on the date the REIT receives such proceeds.

        Second, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those securities includable in the 75% asset test.

        Third, of the investments included in the 25% asset class, and except for investments in other REITs, our qualified REIT subsidiaries and taxable REIT subsidiaries, the value of any one issuer's securities may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets, and we may not own more than 10% of the total vote or value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer except, in the case of the 10% value test, securities satisfying the "straight debt" safe-harbor or securities issued by a partnership that itself would satisfy the 75% income test if it were a REIT. Certain types of securities we may own are disregarded as securities solely for purposes of the 10% value test, including, but not limited to, any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, commencing with the taxable year beginning January 1, 2005, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.

        Fourth, not more than 25% (20% for our taxable years ending on or before December 21, 2008) of the value of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.

        Our operating partnership currently owns, directly and indirectly, the stock of certain corporations, including Extra Space Management, Inc., that have elected, together with us, to be treated as our taxable REIT subsidiaries. So long as each of these corporations qualifies as a taxable REIT subsidiary, we will not be subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting securities limitation or the 10% value limitation with respect to our indirect ownership of such company's securities. We may acquire securities in additional taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future. We believe that the aggregate value of

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our taxable REIT subsidiaries has not exceeded, and in the future will not exceed, 25% of the aggregate value of our gross assets (20% for our taxable years ending on or before December 31, 2008). No independent appraisals have been obtained to support these conclusions. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with our determination of values.

        The asset tests must be satisfied at the close of each calendar quarter of our taxable year in which we (directly or through our operating partnership) acquire securities in the applicable issuer, and also at the close of each calendar quarter in which we increase our ownership of securities of such issuer (including as a result of increasing our interest in our operating partnership). For example, our indirect ownership of securities of each issuer will increase as a result of our capital contributions to our operating partnership or as limited partners exercise their redemption/exchange rights. However, after initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our status as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy an asset test because we acquire securities or other property during a quarter (including as a result of an increase in our interest in our operating partnership), we may cure this failure by disposing of sufficient nonqualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We believe that we have maintained, and we intend to maintain, adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests. If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests within the 30 day cure period, we would cease to qualify as a REIT unless we are eligible for certain relief provisions discussed below.

        Certain relief provisions may be available to us if we discover a failure to satisfy the asset tests described above after the 30-day cure period. Under these provisions, we will be deemed to have met the 5% and 10% asset tests if the value of our nonqualifying assets (1) does not exceed the lesser of (a) 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the applicable quarter or (b) $10,000,000, and (2) we dispose of the nonqualifying assets or otherwise satisfy such tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued. For violations of any of the asset tests due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and that are, in the case of the 5% and 10% asset tests, in excess of the de minimis exception described above, we may avoid disqualification as a REIT after the 30-day cure period by taking steps including (1) the disposition of sufficient nonqualifying assets, or the taking of other actions, which allow us to meet the asset tests within (a) six months after the last day of the quarter in which the failure to satisfy the asset tests is discovered or (b) the period of time prescribed by Treasury Regulations to be issued, (2) paying a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 or (b) the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the nonqualifying assets, and (3) disclosing certain information to the IRS.

        Although we believe we have satisfied the asset tests described above and plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which retesting is to occur, there can be no assurance that we will always be successful, or will not require a reduction in our operating partnership's overall interest in an issuer (including in a taxable REIT subsidiary). If we fail to cure any noncompliance with the asset tests in a timely manner, and the relief provisions described above are not available, we would cease to qualify as a REIT.

Annual Distribution Requirements

        To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:

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        For these purposes, our "REIT taxable income" is computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain. In addition, for purposes of this test, non-cash income means income attributable to leveled stepped rents, original issue discount on purchase money debt, cancellation of indebtedness, or a like-kind exchange that is later determined to be taxable.

        In addition, if we dispose of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C corporation, within the ten-year period following our acquisition of such asset, we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the after-tax gain, if any, we recognized on the disposition of the asset, to the extent that gain does not exceed the excess of (1) the fair market value of the asset over (2) our adjusted basis in the asset, in each case, on the date we acquired the asset.

        We generally must pay, or be treated as paying, the distributions described above in the taxable year to which they relate. At our election, a distribution will be treated as paid in a taxable year if it is declared before we timely file our tax return for such year and paid on or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such year. These distributions are treated as received by our stockholders in the year in which paid. This is so even though these distributions relate to the prior year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement. In order to be taken into account for purposes of our distribution requirement, the amount distributed must not be preferential—i.e., every stockholder of the class of stock to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated other than according to its dividend rights as a class. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain, or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our "REIT taxable income," as adjusted, we will be required to pay tax on the undistributed amount at regular corporate tax rates. We believe that we have made, and we intend to continue to make, timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligations. In this regard, the partnership agreement of our operating partnership authorizes ESS Holding Business Trust I, our wholly-owned subsidiary and the general partner of our operating partnership, and us, as the indirect general partner of our operating partnership, to take such steps as may be necessary to cause our operating partnership to distribute to its partners an amount sufficient to permit us to meet these distribution requirements and to minimize our corporate tax obligation.

        We expect that our REIT taxable income will typically be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we generally will have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in determining our taxable income. In addition, we may decide to retain our cash, rather than distribute it, in order to repay debt or for other reasons. If these timing differences occur, we may borrow funds to pay dividends or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements, while preserving our cash.

        Pursuant to recent guidance issued by the IRS, certain part-stock and part-cash dividends distributed by publicly-traded REITs with respect to calendar years 2008 though 2011, and in some cases declared as late as December 31, 2012, will be treated as distributions for purposes of the REIT distribution requirements. Under the terms of this guidance, up to 90% of distributions by a REIT could be paid in shares of its stock. If we make such a distribution, taxable stockholders would be required to include the full amount of the dividend (i.e., the cash and the stock portion) as ordinary income (subject to limited exceptions), to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described under the headings "—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable

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U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally" and "—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders—Distributions Generally." As a result, our stockholders could recognize taxable income in excess of the cash received and may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash received. If a taxable stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of the stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock.

        Under some circumstances, we may be able to rectify an inadvertent failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement for a year by paying "deficiency dividends" to our stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, subject to the 4% excise tax described below. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends.

        Furthermore, we will be required to pay a 4% excise tax to the extent we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of 85% of our ordinary income for such year, 95% of our capital gain net income for the year and any undistributed taxable income from prior periods. Any ordinary income and net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

        For purposes of the 90% distribution requirement and excise tax described above, dividends declared during the last three months of the taxable year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date during such period and paid during January of the following year, will be treated as paid by us and received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared.

Like-Kind Exchanges

        Our operating partnership may dispose of properties in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay U.S. federal income tax, possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular transaction.

Failure To Qualify

        If we discover a violation of a provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, certain specified cure provisions may be available to us. Except with respect to violations of the gross income tests and asset tests (for which the cure provisions are described above), and provided the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, these cure provisions generally impose a $50,000 penalty for each violation in lieu of a loss of REIT status. If we fail to satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will be required to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, and we will not be required to distribute any amounts to our stockholders. As a result, we anticipate that our failure to qualify as a REIT would reduce the cash available for distribution by us to our stockholders. In addition, if we fail to qualify as a REIT, all distributions to stockholders would be taxable as regular corporate dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. In such event, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. In addition, non-corporate stockholders, including individuals, may be eligible for the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income. See "—U.S. Federal Income Tax

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Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders—Tax Rates." Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be ineligible to elect to be treated as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year for which we lose our qualification. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to this statutory relief.

Tax Aspects of Our Operating Partnership, the Subsidiary Partnerships and the Limited Liability Companies

        General.    All of our investments are held indirectly through our operating partnership. In addition, our operating partnership holds certain of its investments indirectly through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies which we believe have been, and will continue to be, treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, entities that are treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are "pass-through" entities which are not required to pay U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners or members of such entities are allocated their shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership or limited liability company, and are potentially required to pay tax on this income, without regard to whether they receive a distribution from the partnership or limited liability company. We will include in our income our share of these partnership and limited liability company items for purposes of the various gross income tests, the computation of our REIT taxable income, and the REIT distribution requirements. Moreover, for purposes of the asset tests, we will include our pro rata share of assets held by our operating partnership, including its share of its subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies, based on our capital interests in each such entity. See "—Taxation of Our Company."

        Entity Classification.    Our interests in our operating partnership and the subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies involve special tax considerations, including the possibility that the IRS might challenge the status of these entities as partnerships (or disregarded entities). For example, an entity that would otherwise be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes may nonetheless be taxable as a corporation if it is a "publicly traded partnership" and certain other requirements are met. A partnership or limited liability company would be treated as a publicly traded partnership if its interests are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or a substantial equivalent thereof, within the meaning of applicable Treasury Regulations. We do not anticipate that our operating partnership or any subsidiary partnership or limited liability company will be treated as a publicly traded partnership that is taxable as a corporation. However, if any such entity were treated as a corporation, it would be required to pay an entity-level tax on its income. In this situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could prevent us from satisfying the REIT asset tests and possibly the REIT income tests. See "—Asset Tests" and "—Income Tests." This, in turn, could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See "—Failure to Qualify" for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests. In addition, a change in the tax status of our operating partnership or a subsidiary partnership or limited liability company might be treated as a taxable event. If so, we might incur a tax liability without any related cash payment. We believe our operating partnership and each of our other partnerships and limited liability companies have been and will continue to be treated as partnerships or disregarded entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        Allocations of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.    The operating partnership agreement generally provides that allocations of net income will be made first to holders of series A preferred units to the extent of the accrued preferred return on such units. Any remaining net income will be allocated to holders of common units. Allocations to holders of common units will generally be made proportionately to all such holders in respect of such units. Certain limited partners may guaranty debt of our operating partnership. As a result of these guaranties, and notwithstanding the foregoing discussion of allocations of income and loss of our operating partnership to holders of units, such limited partners could under limited circumstances be allocated a disproportionate amount of net loss

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upon a liquidation of our operating partnership, which net loss would have otherwise been allocable to us.

        If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners' interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. Our operating partnership's allocations of taxable income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

        Tax Allocations With Respect to the Properties.    Under Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership, must be allocated in a manner so that the contributing partner is charged with the unrealized gain or benefits from the unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss generally is equal to the difference between the fair market value or book value and the adjusted tax basis of the contributed property at the time of contribution, as adjusted from time to time. These allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect the book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.

        Our operating partnership may, from time to time, acquire interests in property in exchange for interests in our operating partnership. In that case, the tax basis of these property interests generally carries over to the operating partnership, notwithstanding their different book (i.e., fair market) value (this difference is referred to as a book-tax difference). The partnership agreement requires that income and loss allocations with respect to these properties be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. Treasury Regulations issued under Section 704(c) of the Code provide partnerships with a choice of several methods of accounting for book-tax differences. Depending on the method we choose in connection with any particular contribution, the carryover basis of each of the contributed interests in the properties in the hands of our operating partnership (1) will or could cause us to be allocated lower amounts of depreciation deductions for tax purposes than would be allocated to us if any of the contributed properties were to have a tax basis equal to its respective fair market value at the time of the contribution and (2) could cause us to be allocated taxable gain in the event of a sale of such contributed interests or properties in excess of the economic or book income allocated to us as a result of such sale, with a corresponding benefit to the other partners in our operating partnership. An allocation described in clause (2) above might cause us or the other partners to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds in the event of a sale or other disposition of property, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See "—General—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT" and "—Annual Distribution Requirements."

        Any property acquired by our operating partnership in a taxable transaction will initially have a tax basis equal to its fair market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code generally will not apply.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Our Capital Stock

        The following summary describes the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of purchasing, owning and disposing of our capital stock. This summary assumes you hold shares of our capital stock as a "capital asset" (generally, property held for investment within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code). It does not address all the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not address the tax

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consequences relevant to persons who receive special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax law, except where specifically noted. Holders receiving special treatment include, without limitation:

        If you are considering purchasing our capital stock, you should consult your tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

        When we use the term "U.S. stockholder," we mean a holder of shares of our capital stock who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:

        If you hold shares of our capital stock and are not a partnership (or entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or a U.S. stockholder, you are a "non-U.S. stockholder."

        If a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our capital stock, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and on the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding shares of our capital stock are encouraged to consult their tax advisors.

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Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

        Distributions Generally.    Distributions out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as dividends and, other than with respect to capital gain dividends and certain amounts which have previously been subject to corporate level tax discussed below, will be taxable to our taxable U.S. stockholders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. See "—Tax Rates" below. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S. stockholders that are corporations or, except to the extent provided in "—Tax Rates" below, the preferential rates on qualified dividend income applicable to non-corporate U.S. stockholders, including individuals. For purposes of determining whether distributions to holders of capital stock are out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to our outstanding preferred stock and then to our outstanding common stock.

        To the extent that we make distributions on our capital stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to a U.S. stockholder. This treatment will reduce the U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in such shares of stock by the amount of the distribution, but not below zero. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits and in excess of a U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gain. Such gain will be taxable as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year. Dividends we declare in October, November, or December of any year and which are payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year. U.S. stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

        Certain stock dividends, including dividends partially paid in our capital stock and partially paid in cash that comply with recent IRS guidance, generally will be taxable to the recipient U.S. stockholder to the same extent as if paid in cash.

        Capital Gain Dividends.    Dividends that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to our taxable U.S. stockholders as a gain from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. U.S. stockholders that are corporations may, however, be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. If we properly designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, then, except as otherwise required by law, we presently intend to allocate a portion of the total capital gain dividends paid or made available to holders of all classes of our stock for the year to the holders of our common stock and preferred stock (if and when issued) in proportion to the amount that our total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to the holders of such stock for the year bears to the total dividends, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, paid or made available to holders of all classes of our stock for the year.

        Retention of Net Capital Gains.    We may elect to retain, rather than distribute as a capital gain dividend, all or a portion of our net capital gains. If we make this election, we would pay tax on our retained net capital gains. In addition, to the extent we so elect, our earnings and profits (determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) would be adjusted accordingly, and a U.S. stockholder generally would:

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        Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations.    Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders generally will not be able to apply any "passive losses" against this income or gain. A U.S. stockholder may elect to treat capital gain dividends, capital gains from the disposition of our stock and income designated as qualified dividend income, described in "—Tax Rates" below, as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation, but in such case, the stockholder will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amount. Other distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation.

        Dispositions of Our Capital Stock.    If a U.S. stockholder sells or disposes of shares of capital stock, it will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale or other disposition and the holder's adjusted basis in the shares. This gain or loss, except as provided below, will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the holder has held such capital stock for more than one year. However, if a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss upon the sale or other disposition of capital stock that it has held for six months or less, after applying certain holding period rules, the loss recognized will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent the U.S. stockholder received distributions from us which were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.

        Redemption or Repurchase by Us.    A redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution taxable as a dividend to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits at ordinary income rates unless the redemption or repurchase satisfies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code and is therefore treated as a sale or exchange of the redeemed or repurchased shares. The redemption or repurchase will be treated as a sale or exchange if it:

all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code.

        In determining whether any of these tests have been met, shares of capital stock, including common stock and other equity interests in us, considered to be owned by the U.S. stockholder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares of our capital stock actually owned by the U.S. stockholder, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code will be satisfied with respect to the U.S. stockholder depends upon the facts and circumstances at the time that the determination must be made, U.S. stockholders are advised to consult their tax advisors to determine such tax treatment.

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        If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, the amount of the distribution will be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received. See "—Distributions Generally." A U.S. stockholder's adjusted basis in the redeemed or repurchased shares of the stock for tax purposes will be transferred to its remaining shares of our capital stock, if any. If a U.S. stockholder owns no other shares of our capital stock, such basis may, under certain circumstances, be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely.

        If a redemption or repurchase of shares of our stock is not treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend, it will be treated as a taxable sale or exchange in the manner described under "—Dispositions of Our Capital stock."

        Tax Rates.    The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for capital gains, including certain "capital gain dividends," is generally 15% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate). Capital gain dividends will only be eligible for the rates described above to the extent that they are properly designated by the REIT as "capital gain dividends." The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for income that the REIT properly designates as "qualified dividend income" is generally 15%. In general, dividends payable by a REIT are not eligible for the tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that the taxpayer satisfies certain holding requirements with respect to the REIT's stock and the REIT's dividends are attributable to dividends received from certain taxable corporations (in our case, such as Extra Space Management, Inc.) or to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if the REIT distributed taxable income that it retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year). After December 31, 2012, the capital gains tax rate is currently scheduled to increase to 20% and the rate applicable to dividends is currently scheduled to increase to the tax rate then applicable to ordinary income. U.S. stockholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

        Medicare Tax on Unearned Income.    Certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on, and capital gains from, the sale or other disposition of stock for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this additional tax on their ownership and disposition of our capital stock.

        Foreign Accounts.    Certain future payments to "foreign financial institutions" in respect of accounts of U.S. stockholders at such financial institutions may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this withholding provision on their ownership and disposition of our capital stock and the effective date of such provision. See "—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders—Foreign Accounts."

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding.    We are required to report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status. See "—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders."

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Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders

        Dividend income from us and gain arising upon a sale of our shares generally should not be unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI, to a tax-exempt stockholder, except as described below. This income or gain will be UBTI, however, if a tax-exempt stockholder holds its shares as "debt-financed property" within the meaning of the Code or if the shares are used in a trade or business of the tax-exempt stockholder. Generally, "debt-financed property" is property the acquisition or holding of which was financed through a borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder.

        For tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, or qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) or (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, income from an investment in our shares will constitute UBTI unless the organization is able to properly claim a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for specific purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These prospective investors should consult their tax advisors concerning these "set aside" and reserve requirements.

        Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a "pension-held REIT" may be treated as unrelated business taxable income as to certain trusts that hold more than 10%, by value, of the interests in the REIT. A REIT will not be a "pension-held REIT" if it is able to satisfy the "not closely held" requirement without relying on the "look-through" exception with respect to certain trusts or if such REIT is not "predominantly held" by "qualified trusts." As a result of restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock contained in our charter, we do not expect to be classified as a "pension-held REIT," and as a result, the tax treatment described above should be inapplicable to our stockholders. However, because our capital stock is (and, we anticipate, will continue to be) publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this will always be the case.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

        The following discussion addresses the rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our capital stock by non-U.S. stockholders. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, the discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation and does not address state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. stockholder in light of its particular circumstances. We urge non-U.S. stockholders to consult their tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state, local and non-U.S. income tax laws on the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock, including any reporting requirements.

        Distributions Generally.    Distributions (including any taxable stock dividends) that are neither attributable to gains from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests nor designated by us as capital gain dividends (except as described below) will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, unless the distributions are treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. stockholder of a U.S. trade or business. Under certain treaties, however, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. Certain certification and disclosure requirements must be satisfied to be exempt from withholding under the effectively connected income exemption. Dividends that are treated as effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will generally not be subject to withholding but will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis at graduated rates, in the same manner as dividends paid to U.S. stockholders are subject to U.S. federal income tax. Any such dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax

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at a 30% rate (applicable after deducting U.S. federal income taxes paid on such effectively connected income) or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

        Except as otherwise provided below, we expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on any distributions made to a non-U.S. stockholder unless:

        Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a non-U.S. stockholder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder's capital stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that such distributions exceed the non-U.S. stockholder's adjusted basis in such capital stock, they will give rise to gain from the sale or exchange of such stock, the tax treatment of which is described below. For withholding purposes, we expect to treat all distributions as made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. However, amounts withheld may be refundable if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that certain conditions are met.

        Capital Gain Dividends and Distributions Attributable to a Sale or Exchange of U.S. Real Property Interests.    Distributions to a non-U.S. stockholder that we properly designate as capital gain dividends, other than those arising from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest, generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless:

        Pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, or FIRPTA, distributions to a non-U.S. stockholder that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of "U.S. real property interests," or USRPI, whether or not designated as capital gain dividends, will cause the non-U.S. stockholder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Non-U.S. stockholders would generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax. We also will be required to withhold and to remit to the IRS 35% (or 15% to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations) of any distribution to non-U.S. stockholders that is designated as a capital gain dividend or, if greater, 35% of any distribution to non-U.S. stockholders that could have been designated as a capital gain dividend. The amount withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability. However, any distribution with respect to any class of stock that is "regularly traded" on an established securities market located in the United States is not subject to FIRPTA, and therefore, not subject to the 35% U.S. withholding tax described above, if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. Instead, such distributions will generally be treated as ordinary dividend distributions and subject to withholding in the manner described above with respect to ordinary dividends.

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        Retention of Net Capital Gains.    Although the law is not clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as retained net capital gains in respect of the capital stock held by stockholders generally should be treated with respect to non-U.S. stockholders in the same manner as actual distributions of capital gain dividends. Under that approach, the non-U.S. stockholders would be able to offset as a credit against their federal income tax liability their proportionate share of the tax paid by us on such retained net capital gains and to receive from the IRS a refund to the extent their proportionate share of such tax paid by us exceeds their actual federal income tax liability. If we were to designate any portion of our net capital gain as retained net capital gain, a non-U.S. stockholder should consult its tax advisor regarding the taxation of such retained net capital gain.

        Sale of Our Capital Stock.    Gain recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless such stock constitutes a USRPI. In general, stock of a domestic corporation that constitutes a "U.S. real property holding corporation," or USRPHC, will constitute a USRPI. We believe that we are a USRPHC. Our capital stock will not, however, constitute a USRPI so long as we are a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity." A "domestically controlled qualified investment entity" includes a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders. We believe, but cannot guarantee, that we are a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity." Because our capital stock is (and, we anticipate, will continue to be) publicly traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity."

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock not otherwise subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. stockholder if either (1) the investment in our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder's U.S. trade or business or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified investment entity, upon disposition of our capital stock, a non-U.S. stockholder may be treated as having gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of a USRPI if the non-U.S. stockholder (a) disposes of such stock within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (b) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, or is deemed to acquire, other shares of that stock during the 61-day period beginning with the first day of the 30-day period described in clause (a), unless such stock is "regularly traded" and the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of such stock at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution described in clause (a).

        Even if we do not qualify as a "domestically controlled qualified investment entity" at the time a non-U.S. stockholder sells our capital stock, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of such stock would not be subject to federal income taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI if:

        If gain on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. stockholder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). In addition, if the sale, exchange

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or other taxable disposition of our capital stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, and if shares of our capital stock were not "regularly traded" on an established securities market, the purchaser of such capital stock would generally be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the purchase price.

        Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax.    Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to a non-U.S. stockholder, such holder's name and address, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report is sent to the non-U.S. stockholder. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the non-U.S. stockholder's country of residence.

        Payments of dividends or of proceeds from the disposition of stock made to a non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless such holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we have or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that a non-U.S. stockholder is a U.S. person.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

        Foreign Accounts.    Withholding taxes may be imposed on certain types of payments made to "foreign financial institutions" and certain other non-U.S. entities. The legislation imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign nonfinancial entity, unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (2) the foreign non-financial entity either certifies it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner. In addition, if the payee is a foreign financial institution, it generally must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury that requires, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to certain other account holders.

        Although this legislation currently applies to applicable payments made after December 31, 2012, in recent guidance, the IRS has indicated that Treasury Regulations will be issued providing that the withholding provisions described above will apply to payments of dividends on our common stock made on or after January 1, 2014 and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of such stock on or after January 1, 2015. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation.

Other Tax Consequences

        State, local and non-U.S. income tax laws may differ substantially from the corresponding U.S. federal income tax laws, and this discussion does not purport to describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, or any federal tax other than the income tax. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect of state, local, non-U.S., and other tax laws with respect to our tax treatment as a REIT and on an investment in our capital stock.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities domestically or abroad to one or more underwriters for public offering and sale by them or may sell the securities to investors directly or through dealers or agents, or through a combination of methods. Any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at: (1) a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, (2) market prices prevailing at the time of sale, (3) prices related to the prevailing market prices at the time of sale or (4) negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as their agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

        Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us and our operating partnership, to indemnification against and contribution toward civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We will describe any indemnification agreement in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, any series of securities issued hereunder will be a new issue with no established trading market (other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE). If we sell any shares of our common stock pursuant to a prospectus supplement, such shares will be listed on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. We may elect to list any other securities issued hereunder on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom such securities are sold by us or our operating partnership for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.

        If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutions or other suitable purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. These purchasers may include, among others, commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions. Delayed delivery contracts will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the securities covered by the delayed delivery contracts will not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and agents will not have any responsibility with respect to the validity or performance of these contracts.

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        To facilitate the offering of the securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover the over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

        The underwriters, dealers and agents and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our operating partnership in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California. Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, has issued an opinion to us regarding certain matters of Maryland law.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Extra Space Storage Inc. appearing in Extra Space Storage Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Extra Space Storage Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedule and Extra Space Storage Inc. management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

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5,200,000 Shares

Common Stock

LOGO


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

November 5, 2012


Citigroup