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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services and Potentially Establishing Use Classification, Standards, and Approval Procedures, Including Definitions, Permitted Locations, Siting, Staging and Dispatch, Performance Standards, and Related Operations; (2) FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT: If Desired, Adoption of an Interim Urgency Ordinance Establishing a 45-Day Moratorium on the Issuance of Building Permits or Entitlements for Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services; and/or (3) If Desired, Direction to Prepare a Regular Ordinance for Direct Consideration by City Council, or for Consideration by the Planning Commission for Recommendation to City Council; and/or (4) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: August 10, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Gabriel Barreras, Senior Planner
Christina Burrows, Assistant City Attorney
Phone Number: (310) 253-5776 / (310) 253-5660
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/05/2026)
Department Approval Name, Title Date: Emily Stadnicki, Director of Planning & Development (08/03/2026); Heather Baker, City Attorney (08/04/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Discuss Autonomous Vehicle fleet services and potentially establishing use classification, standards, and approval procedures including definitions, permitted locations, siting, staging and dispatch, performance standards, and related operations;
2. If desired, adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on issuance of building permits or entitlements for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) fleet services (four-fifths vote required) to provide City staff the opportunity to research and present potential regulations; and/or
3. If desired, direct staff to prepare a regular ordinance for direct consideration by the City Council; and/or
4. If desired, direct staff to present such ordinance to the Planning Commission for recommendation to the City Council; or
5. Provide other direction to the City Manager.
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.
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.
Given the City's receipt of initial inquiries regarding AV fleet service facilities and the anticipated growth of AV technologies and related services, this report is intended to inform the City Council of the emerging land use considerations associated with AV fleet services and operations, and the need for further regulatory direction from Council to clearly define how and where AV fleet services may be regulated.
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 site impacts. Traditional vehicle uses are generally dependent on human operators and are typically limited to defined 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 may 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, dispatching, 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.
Recognizing the potential for similar land use challenges in Culver City, staff is bringing forward a discussion on this issue. If desired, Council could adopt a 45-day urgency ordinance to establish a temporary moratorium on AV fleet services to allow staff sufficient time to evaluate and identify the appropriate definitions, land use classifications, permitted locations, siting, staging and dispatch, performance standards, and related operations. The moratorium would not affect charging only facilities, as EV charging must be permitted by right per State law. However, facilities with EV charging on site would not be exempt from the AV fleet service land use classification solely because electric vehicle 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.
There are three procedural pathways to consider regarding implementation of an autonomous vehicle moratorium:
1. Adopt an interim urgency ordinance that would pause the approval of any applications for AV fleet services while an ordinance to regulate AV fleet services is being prepared and considered.
2. Direct staff to bring a regular ordinance regulating AV fleet services directly back to City Council for consideration.
3. Direct staff to take a regular ordinance regulating AV fleet services to the Planning Commission for a recommendation prior to bringing it forward to City Council for consideration.
Interim Urgency Ordinance
Government Code section 65858 allows the City Council, in order to protect the public safety, health, and welfare, to adopt as an urgency measure an interim ordinance prohibiting any uses that may be in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or zoning proposal that the City Council, Planning Commission or the Planning & Development Department is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time. The City Council shall not adopt or extend any interim ordinance unless the ordinance contains legislative findings that there is a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, and that the approval of additional subdivisions, use permits, variances, building permits, or any other applicable entitlement for use which is required in order to comply with a zoning ordinance would result in that threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
An interim urgency ordinance requires a 4/5 vote of the City Council for adoption. It takes effect immediately and expires 45 days after its adoption unless it is extended. It may be extended for 10 months and 15 days and subsequently extended again for an additional year, for a total amount of time not to exceed 2 years.
Regular Zoning Ordinance
As an alternative, the City Council can provide direction to staff as to whether to prepare a zoning ordinance regulating AV fleet services and site operations. As part of this process, City staff would conduct outreach to participants in the AV industry for input and feedback. This ordinance could be presented to the Planning Commission and then to the City Council, or it could be presented directly to the City Council.
Staff seeks Council direction regarding the desired pathway to pursue and welcomes any other direction regarding AV fleet services and site operations.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
A temporary citywide moratorium would defer the establishment of new AV fleet service facilities and operations within Culver City, potentially delaying any associated tax revenue or other economic benefits that may result from these uses. However, developing a comprehensive regulatory framework may provide future opportunities to accommodate AV fleet operations in appropriate locations while ensuring compatibility with surrounding land uses and allowing 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
1. 2026-08-10_ATT_Interim Urgency Ordinance
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Discuss Autonomous Vehicle fleet services and potentially establishing use classification, standards, and approval procedures including definitions, permitted locations, siting, staging and dispatch, performance standards, and related operations; AND
2. If desired, adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on issuance of building permits or entitlements for Autonomous Vehicle (AV) fleet services (four-fifths vote required) to provide City staff the opportunity to research and present potential regulations; AND/OR
3. If desired, direct staff to prepare a regular ordinance for direct consideration by the City Council; AND/OR
4. If desired, direct staff to present such ordinance to the Planning Commission for recommendation to the City Council; OR
5. Provide other direction to the City Manager.