Studio Policy

Follow the policies below to help MakerLabs effectively manage the studio spaces and provide a quality service to all members. Violations may result in refusal of service and/or membership cancellation.

These policies have been updated as of November 20th, 2023.

1.  Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and there are no reservations. Those that wish to be notified about available studios can sign up for the studio waitlist here: https://www.makerlabs.com/studios

2.  Studio space is a monthly fee that covers exactly one month of MakerLabs space from the day it is purchased. For example, a studio paid for on May 15 will go until the end of day on June 14, and will renew for the following month on June 15.

a. Members must keep a credit card on file for billing

i. Under special circumstances Members can arrange with MakerLabs to not automatically charge the card on file, and elect manual payment instead. The member must speak with a community staff member to appeal an arrangement.

3.  Only members with at least a base membership (12noon - 9pm access) may have studios. Affiliate members must upgrade to a full membership to acquire and pay for a studio space.

a. Ideally the member has also been a member of MakerLabs for at least three months prior to acquiring a space. 

i. Individuals wishing to bypass this rule must undergo an interview with a community staff member and references will be need to be provided.

ii. The first 3 months will be considered a probationary period. MakerLabs reserves the right to terminate studio privileges if the member does not pass the reference check and/or has reasonable concern with the member maintaining a space beyond (or even during) the probationary period.

4.  Studio privilege does not create a landlord/tenant relationship with MakerLabs. It is not a sublet or rental of any kind.

5.  Members are permitted to share a studio space with other members.

a. Shared studio spaces will require one member to be financially responsible to MakerLabs and will be the designated payee for the shared studio.

b. Any financial decisions between the members will be solely between the members associated to that space and MakerLabs will only address billing concerns with the designated payee.

c.  Should the designated payee be unable to pay for studio fees, they forfeit the studio and it will be cancelled as outlined in our late payments policy. Another member may assume the financial responsibility of the space and re-register the studio under their name and account, otherwise must also depart the studio space.

6. Studios must not be used as a member’s residence

7. Studio structures, electrical use, and square footage measurements

a. Studios are permitted to have opaque walls no higher than 4 feet. Sections higher than 4 feet must allow significant transmission of light (at the discretion of the MakerLabs staff)

b. Studios may not use halogen or incandescent light bulbs, and any lighting must have a switch so that any lights can be easily turned off.

c. Studios may access power outlets that are provided around the building. Any extension cords must be plugged directly into a junction box, it must be a minimum of 14 gauge, 15 amps. No power bars to be plugged into extension cords. Any cords that can't be plugged directly into a junction box must use a 15 gauge pull down extension, which is connected to a junction box. Any power bars used have to be grounded. No daisy chaining of power bars and extension cords is allowed.

d. For electrical access beyond the provided outlets, any electrical work requests are solely the member's financial responsibility (putting in dedicated outlets/lines/circuits, etc) and no electrical work may be scheduled unless discussed with, and approved by MakerLabs staff beforehand. 

e. Studios with doors may be locked but a copy of the key or combination must be given to MakerLabs to keep on hand in the event of safety or security issues.

f. Billable square footage for studio spaces is measured to the outside of studio walls. Studio walls must be kept inside or on top of the designated tape line.

g.  Billable square footage for studio spaces must extend all the way to any hallway space. You are not allowed to pay for only a portion of your available studio space (at the discretion of MakerLabs staff)

h. Studio lofts can only be used as storage space. They cannot be used as work space.

i. Studios will have a minimum of 4' of access to their space from an adjacent hallway. 

j. Wooden structures are preferred, and must be assembled with screw or bolts. No nails are to be used in building studio structures. 

k. Studios are not permitted to store items between the open joists in the ceiling.

l. Studios that have fire sensors in them must make sure their belongings have a 3' to 5' clearance from fire sensors.

m. 3-D printers must be kept away from any flammable materials and contained in a fire resistant enclosure if they are to be operated overnight. They must also be monitored closely, and must be able to be powered off remotely. Low temperature materials (such as PLA, PTEG, and ABS) are preferred. 

8.  Portable Space Heaters are prohibited and will be confiscated.

9.  Flammable or explosive liquids (ie. butane, propane canisters) cannot be stored inside studios. Instead they must be labeled and stored in our communal fire box. In the case that the communal fire box is full, all flammable items (including, but not limited to, paints, oil finishes, adhesives, solvents) must be stored in a metal cabinet or box. Flammable items must not be stored in precarious locations, for example, under piles of wood. Gasoline must be stored outside of MakerLabs.

10. No cooking inside of studios. All cooking must be done in the communal kitchen by the lounge.

a. Food in studios should be kept in airlocked containers, or will be subject to confiscation. 

   b. Corn-based packaging is considered food as it may invite unwanted pests.

11. MakerLabs is not responsible for theft or damage to personal property. Members are responsible for appropriately securing their personal belongings and space.

        a. Members may obtain their own insurance policy as needed through their own insurance providers. Members' studios or belongings are not covered under MakerLabs' insurance.

12.  Relocation within MakerLabs

a. MakerLabs reserves the right to relocate studios to an equivalently sized space at any time for any reason

b. Members who want to relocate to a different studio space within MakerLabs must send an email to hello@makerlabs.com giving notice of relocation at least 7 days before their old studio billing date.

c.  Members must pay upfront for their destination studio at the advertised studio rate before they begin their move.

d. Cancellation of previous space will undergo studio cancellation procedures and follow the associated policies regarding cancellation.

13.  Expanding/Reducing studio space

a. Members will be charged the current rate for any expanded square footage as advertised on our studio page. Existing perimeter prior to expansion will remain at the grandfathered rate until otherwise notified.

b. Payment of the expansion area is required upfront.

b. Reductions in studio space must result in a minimum of 50 square feet of available space beside the newly reduced space.

c. Notice of a studio reduction must be given at least 7 days before the renewal date.

d. Reduction of studio space will undergo studio cancellation procedures for the affected perimeter and follow the associated policies regarding cancellation.

14.  Late Payments/Cancellation

a.   Studio members who are more than 2 weeks late with studio payments will incur a 25% late fee on top of their existing invoice, and will have their memberships suspended, and access to the building restricted immediately.

i. Suspended studio owners will have two weeks from their suspension notice to clear out their belongings. All items belonging to the studio member left after the scheduled move out date will be confiscated. Items may be recycled, sold, or dumped and moving/disposal fees will be charged back to the studio owner. 

ii. If an invoice is paid in its entirety after the suspension notice, the member may resume their membership and studio however forfeit any grandfathered building access they were privy to prior. The membership and studio will be reinstated at the current rates as listed on our website under the membership page and studio page.

iii. Members who are late on studio payments three times or more since signing this agreement will forfeit studio privileges indefinitely upon the third instance of late payment.

b. MakerLabs reserves the right to cancel studio privileges at any time for any reason. In such cases, MakerLabs will provide a refund of prorated studio fees.

i. Calculation for the pro-rate will count from the day after the exit photos are received. If no photos are emailed, it is assumed that no pro-rate is needed.

c.  Partial refunds of cancelled spaces (pro-rates) are not available for makers voluntarily departing their spaces (leaving by personal choice). The space is theirs up until end of the paid cycle, otherwise forfeited.

d. Studio space must be returned to original condition at time of exit. Structures must be safely dismantled or donated to MakerLabs with permission from staff.

e. Cancellation requests must be made in writing at least 7 days prior to next renewal date. Studio cancellations with less then 7 days notice will not be processed. Your studio billing will stand for one final month and will be wrapped up before the next billing cycle. 

f. Cancelled studios must also be vacated and a photo of the vacated space must be sent to hello@makerlabs.com prior to next renewal date.

g. If still occupied by the renewal date, monthly studio rates will be converted to weekly storage rates subject to our short-term storage policy, and will be billed each week until studio has become vacant.

15.  Studio Affiliates

a. Studio owners may have no more than 1 studio affiliates per 50 sq/ft of studio space upon approval of MakerLabs

b. Studio affiliates are granted 12-9pm access to MakerLabs when they sign up, and are permitted to purchase the extended hours access at an additional cost. Affiliates may not apply for 24/7 access until they have been in good standing for at least 3 months.

i. Even if the studio member does not have extended or 24hours access, the affiliate can still  purchase those memberships separately if they are in good standing.

c.  Studio affiliates may use MakerLabs’ tools, but at the drop-in rate and need to attend all required workshops prior to using any of MakerLabs tools. Classes can be taken at the member’s rate.

d.  If the studio member falls out of good standing and forfeits their studio privileges, the sponsored studio affiliates must upgrade to their own full membership, or forfeit access altogether.

16. Studio Audits

MakerLabs may conduct studio audits on a quarterly basis. These audits are to ensure all fire safety policies are being followed.