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CC – CONSENT ITEM: Adoption of an Ordinance Establishing a New Use Classification, Standards and Approval Procedures for Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services.

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Meeting Date: September 28, 2026

Contact Person/Dept.: Gabriel Barreras, Senior Planner
Peer Chacko, Current Planning Manager
Christina Burrows, Assistant City Attorney

Phone Number: (310) 253-5776 / (310) 253-5755 / (310) 253-5660

Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]

Attachments: Yes [X] No []

Public Notification: (Email) Public Notifications – City Council (09/10/2026), Meetings and Agendas – City Council 09/10/2026), (Posted) City website (09/10/2026), Social Media (08/25/2026), (Published) Culver City News (08/28/2026)

Department Approval: Emily Stadnicki, Director of Planning & Development (09/21/2026); Heather Baker, City Attorney (09/22/2026) _____________________________________________________________________


RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends the City Council adopt an ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 1.


BACKGROUND

In February 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued the first permits authorizing autonomous vehicle (AV) fleet operators, Cruise LLC and Waymo LLC, to provide passenger service in AVs with a test driver present in the vehicle. By November 2024, the CPUC approved the expansion of commercial AV operations into Southern California and the greater Los Angeles region, with Culver City situated within the central portion of the Westside service area. Since then, several other AV passenger service companies have begun to enter the market in the Southern California region.

Commercial AV fleets currently operate as driverless ride-hailing services, utilizing advanced technologies, including LiDAR, radar, GPS, and onboard camera systems, to perceive and navigate the surrounding environment, identify roadway conditions, and safely transport passengers to their destinations. While AVs operate without an onboard driver, fleet operators maintain remote assistance capabilities to provide support during unusual conditions or emergency situations. These services are capable of operating continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, within defined service areas.

In recent months, the Culver City Current Planning Division has received multiple inquiries regarding the permissibility of AV fleet-related services and uses on properties throughout the City. Specifically, staff has been asked whether the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) allows AV fleet service operations, which zoning districts may accommodate such uses, and whether any applicable development standards, operational requirements, or other regulatory provisions exist.

On August 10, 2026, Culver City Council considered establishing a 45-day moratorium on issuance of building permits or entitlements for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) fleet services. City Council did not approve the moratorium but directed staff to return to City Council on September 14, 2026, with an ordinance defining how and where AV fleet services may be regulated.

On September 14, 2026, Culver City Council introduced an ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services. City Council considered both an urgency ordinance and a regular ordinance, but did not garner sufficient votes to approve an urgency ordinance. Ultimately, the City Council voted unanimously 4 to 0 (with 1 recusal) to approve a regular ordinance, with the following modifications to the staff recommendation:
Limit the AV Fleet Services definition to permit only fleets utilizing electric vehicles (EVs).
Allow for enclosed AV Fleet Service uses within the MU-N and MU-DT zones only if included as part of a mixed-use project.
Clarify that the prohibition of AV Fleet Service uses within 100-feet from Residential Zones, unless within enclosed structures, also applies to Residential Zones in the City of Los Angeles.


DISCUSSION

Culver City’s most recent comprehensive Zoning Code Update became effective on October 9, 2024, prior to the CPUC’s authorization of commercial AV fleet operations in Southern California. As a result, the current CCMC does not include definitions, zoning classifications, or development standards specific to AV fleet service operations. In the absence of applicable definitions or regulations, AV fleet services are not currently identified as a permitted or regulated land use within the City.

The CCMC Section 17.700.010 establishes regulations for a variety of vehicle-oriented uses and services, including vehicle sales and rental, accessory installation, automobile body and paint services, car washes, fueling and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, vehicle impoundment and storage, vehicle maintenance and repair, and towing operations. However, the CCMC does not address AV operations, fleet services, or facilities.

From a land use and operational perspective, AV fleet services differ substantially from conventional vehicle-related uses due to their unique operating model and associated potential site impacts. Traditional vehicle uses are generally dependent on human operators and typically operate primarily during daytime business hours, such as vehicle rental facilities, parking facilities, municipal vehicle yards, or commercial vehicle storage areas. In contrast, AV fleet services are designed to support continuously operating, driverless vehicle networks that generally operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

AV facilities generate higher vehicle circulation, ingress and egress activity, and dispatch more frequently than conventional vehicle storage or fleet facilities. Additionally, AV fleet services are not typically customer-facing uses; vehicles are not rented, leased, or accessed by individual customers at the facility.

Given the operational patterns and technological potential of AV fleets, the absence of applicable regulations presents several concerns with safety and land use compatibility, including but not limited to the following:

Excessive queuing and stacking in public rights-of-way, including potential impacts to alleys, loading areas, and emergency access routes;
Potential for continuous 24-hour facilities with staging, light cleaning, and associated activities;
Noise, lighting, and operational impacts during both daytime and nighttime;
Limited on-site staffing or direct operational oversight at fleet staging or dispatch facilities;
Potential concerns related to proximity to sensitive receptors and existing residential neighborhoods; and
Expansion of vehicle-oriented land uses that may conflict with the goals and policies of the General Plan 2045, including objectives related to active transportation, pedestrian-oriented development, and efficient land utilization.

These operational and land use compatibility concerns are exemplified by recent lawsuit proceedings related to the City of Santa Monica. On July 27, 2026, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring Waymo to suspend overnight operations at two AV fleet facilities within the city, following complaints from nearby residents regarding nighttime noise, vehicle headlights, increased vehicle activity, and resulting sleep disturbances. Subsequently, the Court of Appeal issued a temporary stay, while Waymo’s challenge to the injunction is being considered.

Recognizing the potential for similar land use challenges in Culver City, staff has consulted with a number of representatives of the AV fleet service industry and developed a regulatory policy framework for this land use. The draft policy framework was shared with industry representatives and the general public for feedback on September 1, 2026. Based on the feedback received, staff presented a draft ordinance at the first hearing on September 14, 2026, which was introduced by City Council with certain modifications. The proposed ordinance, which incorporates City Council’s approved modifications, is now being presented for adoption (Attachment 1) and establishes a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services.

Staff had discussed the regulatory approach with representatives of the State Agency GoBiz, which is responsible for promoting and streamlining the adoption of Electric Vehicle (EV) technology in the State of California. Staff has also shared the draft ordinance that was previously considered by City Council on September 14, 2026, as well as the version as modified by City Council (Attachment 1) with GoBiz. Regarding compliance with State law, note that while EV charging is exempt from this ordinance, facilities with EV charging on site would not be exempt from the AV fleet service land use classification solely because EV charging occurs on the site, nor effect the City’s responsibility to review or condition future AV fleet services for potential health and safety impacts within the confines of State law.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

On September 14, 2026, the City Council adopted an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), concurrently with introduction of the proposed ordinance.


FISCAL ANALYSIS

An ordinance establishing new regulations for AV fleet service facilities within Culver City, would potentially impact associated tax revenue or other economic benefits that may result from these uses. The Ordinance would accommodate AV fleet operations in appropriate locations while ensuring compatibility with surrounding land uses and allow the City to realize potential long-term fiscal benefits. The extent of any future economic impact or revenue generation will depend on market conditions, industry growth, and other factors beyond the City's control.


ATTACHMENTS

2026-09-28_ATT_Proposed Ordinance


recommended action
MOTION(S)

That the City Council:

Adopt an ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 1.