Looking for a depot, a warehouse or a logistics space to rent in Renens or elsewhere in western Lausanne? Before comparing rents, you need to know what type of space you need and check a few technical points that make all the difference day to day: loading docks, goods lifts, ceiling height, floor load and truck access. This guide helps you choose and visit with the right questions.
The essentials in 30 seconds
For a business, a depot rented under a commercial lease is generally much cheaper per m² than a self-storage unit. In western Lausanne, depots are advertised at around CHF 120 to 180/m²/year and logistics space with loading docks at around CHF 185 to 240/m²/year. Before signing, check the loading docks, goods lifts, ceiling height, floor load and heavy goods vehicle access: trucks are limited to 40 tonnes and banned from driving at night and on Sundays.
By the MixCity team · Updated 29 October 2026 · Indicative prices from listings (asking rents).
Contents
- Box, depot, warehouse or logistics space: which to choose?
- Why store and deliver from western Lausanne?
- The 10 technical criteria for a depot or warehouse
- Truck deliveries: the rules to know
- Storing hazardous goods: fire protection
- How much does a depot in Renens cost?
- Checklist: 10 questions to ask during the visit
- Storing and delivering from MixCity, Renens
- Frequently asked questions about renting a depot or warehouse
Box, depot, warehouse or logistics space: which to choose?
The terms often overlap in listings. In practice, there are four solutions, depending on the volume to store, the frequency of deliveries and the length of commitment.
| Solution | Typical size | For whom? | Indicative price | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-storage unit | 1.5 to 80 m³ | Archives, small stock, seasonal equipment | From CHF 14/m³/month, i.e. around CHF 35/m²/month for a 2.5 m height | Service contract, monthly |
| Depot | 50 to 1,000 m² | SME stock, tradespeople, e-commerce | Around CHF 120 to 180/m²/year | Commercial lease |
| Warehouse or hall | 1,000 m² and more | Large stock, high racking | Around CHF 130 to 150/m²/year for large halls | Commercial lease |
| Logistics space with loading docks | A few hundred to several thousand m² | Regular truck flows, order picking | Around CHF 185 to 240/m²/year | Commercial lease |
Self-storage is flexible, but it quickly becomes expensive per m² and does not allow you to receive trucks or work on site. As soon as your stock exceeds a few dozen m², or you have regular deliveries, a depot rented under a commercial lease is generally more cost-effective.
Why store and deliver from western Lausanne?
Western Lausanne brings together eight municipalities (including Renens, Crissier, Bussigny, Ecublens and Prilly) with many business zones, just minutes from Lausanne. For storage and logistics, the area has several advantages:
- The A1 motorway: the Crissier and Lausanne-Malley junctions serve the area. The Crissier sector is, however, busy at peak times: plan your deliveries accordingly.
- Space suited to trucks: business zones offer more loading docks, manoeuvring areas and accessible ground floors than central Lausanne.
- Public transport for staff: Renens and Prilly-Malley stations and, since August 2026, the western Lausanne BRT line.
- Lower rents than in the city: our survey of prices in western Lausanne details rents by type of premises.
The 10 technical criteria for a depot or warehouse
Two depots of the same size can offer very different uses. Here are the points to check first.
| Criterion | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Loading docks | Number, height, dock leveller, weather protection | Load and unload a truck without wasting time or taking risks |
| Ground-level access | Direct access for vans and pallet trucks, without steps | Avoid unnecessary handling |
| Goods lifts | Payload (in tonnes), car and door dimensions | Essential if the depot is not on the ground floor |
| Ceiling height | Clear height under beams and lighting | Determines the number of racking levels |
| Floor load | Capacity in kg/m² or kN/m² | Heavy racking, machines, stacked pallets |
| Doors | Width and height of sectional doors | Access for forklifts and bulky goods |
| Manoeuvring area | Room for an 18.75 m truck, reserved loading bays | Avoid deliveries on the public road |
| Energy and climate | Electrical capacity, charging points, frost protection, ventilation | Sensitive products, electric forklifts, working comfort |
| Security | Alarm, access control, video surveillance, outdoor lighting | Protect the stock and meet insurance requirements |
| Access hours | 24/7 or restricted access, building rules | Adapt deliveries early in the morning or in the evening |
For other types of premises (offices, workshops, production), see also our checklist of 10 technical criteria for business premises.
Truck deliveries: the rules to know
If you receive or ship goods by heavy goods vehicle, a few Swiss rules influence the choice of depot and the organisation of deliveries:
- Weight and length: in Switzerland, road trains and articulated lorries are limited to 40 tonnes and 18.75 m in length (44 tonnes for combined transport). Check that the access road, yard and dock allow such a vehicle to manoeuvre.
- Night and Sunday driving ban: vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, articulated vehicles over 5 tonnes and vehicles towing a trailer over 3.5 tonnes may in principle not drive between 10 pm and 5 am, nor on Sundays. A special permit can be requested from the canton when a transport is absolutely unavoidable.
- Vans up to 3.5 tonnes: they are not affected by this ban. A depot with ground-level access for utility vehicles therefore allows deliveries early in the morning or in the evening.
Storing hazardous goods: fire protection
In the canton of Vaud, fire protection follows the AEAI (Swiss fire protection association) regulations, applied by ECA Vaud. If you store hazardous goods, additional requirements may apply above certain quantities, for example 450 litres of highly flammable liquids, 100 kg of flammable gases or 1,000 kg of tyres. Tell the landlord before signing: the building, fire compartments and insurance must be suited to your activity.
The lease should also specify the permitted use of the premises (for example “depot and storage of non-hazardous goods”). The other lease rules are detailed in our guide to commercial leases in Switzerland.
How much does a depot in Renens cost?
In western Lausanne, our October 2026 survey shows a median rent of around CHF 140/m²/year for a depot, excluding charges, with a range of CHF 81 to 215 depending on size, floor and condition. A 300 m² depot therefore costs around CHF 42,000 per year, or CHF 3,500 per month, plus service charges, parking spaces and, where applicable, VAT.
For prices by type of premises, the monthly conversion and sample budgets, see our article on the rental price of a depot, workshop or commercial premises in the canton of Vaud.
Checklist: 10 questions to ask during the visit
- How many loading docks are there, at what height, and are they covered?
- Is the depot at ground level? If not, what is the goods lift payload?
- What is the clear ceiling height and the permitted floor load?
- Can a 40-tonne truck access and manoeuvre without blocking traffic?
- What are the building’s access hours?
- What goods may be stored (permitted use in the lease, hazardous products)?
- Is the space heated and ventilated, and what electrical capacity is available?
- What security systems are in place (alarm, access control)?
- How many parking and delivery spaces are provided, and at what price?
- What are the service charges, and is the rent subject to VAT?
Storing and delivering from MixCity, Renens
MixCity, Avenue des Baumettes 21 in Renens, offers depot and storage space from 300 to 3,500 m² and logistics space from 300 to 4,500 m², 5 minutes from the A1 motorway. The building has three levels with ground-level access for utility vehicles, three loading docks suited to different types of vehicles, and two goods lifts of 3 and 4 tonnes. Explore the available spaces, then request a callback to discuss your storage project.
Frequently asked questions about renting a depot or warehouse
A depot generally refers to a small to medium storage space, often in a business building. A warehouse or hall is a building or large volume dedicated to storage, with high ceilings and loading docks for trucks.
In western Lausanne, our October 2026 survey shows a median rent of around CHF 140/m²/year, excluding charges. A 300 m² depot therefore costs around CHF 42,000 per year, or CHF 3,500 per month. Logistics space with loading docks rents for around CHF 185 to 240/m²/year.
Self-storage suits small volumes and temporary needs, but is expensive per m² (from CHF 14/m³/month). From a few dozen m² or with regular deliveries, a depot rented under a commercial lease is generally more cost-effective and allows you to receive trucks.
In principle no. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes may not drive between 10 pm and 5 am, nor on Sundays, unless the canton grants a special permit. Vans up to 3.5 tonnes are not affected.
Check the loading docks, ground-level access or goods lift payload, ceiling height, floor load, doors, truck manoeuvring area, energy supply, security and access hours.
It is possible, but above certain quantities (for example 450 litres of highly flammable liquids), fire protection requirements apply under AEAI and ECA Vaud regulations. Tell the landlord before signing.
Yes. A depot rented to a business falls under the Code of Obligations rules on leases of commercial premises: six months’ notice, possible extension and transfer of the lease, freely negotiated deposit.
Sources
- Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) – Driving on Sundays or at night (in French)
- FEDRO – Analyses of mega-trucks (40 tonnes, 18.75 m, in French)
- ECA Vaud – Presence of hazardous materials, minimum level (PDP no. 1, in French)
- immobilier.ch – Self-storage offer in the Lausanne region (from CHF 14/m³/month)
- home.ch – Depots for rent in western Lausanne
- homegate – Depots and logistics space for rent in western Lausanne
Want to see our guides and news first in Google results?
Add MixCity to your preferred sources on Google