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CC - PUBLIC HEARING ITEM: (1) FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE REQUIREMENT: Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance Establishing a New Use Classification, Standards and Approval Procedures for Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services, and Exemption from CEQA; OR (2) Introduction of an Ordinance Establishing a New Use Classification, Standards and Approval Procedures for Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services and Exemption from CEQA.

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Meeting Date: September 14, 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 Name, Title Date: Emily Stadnicki, Director of Planning & Development (08/28/2026); Heather Baker, City Attorney (09/08/2026) _____________________________________________________________________


RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends the City Council:

Adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 1, and adopt an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) (four-fifths vote required);

OR

Introduce an ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 2, and adopt an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3).

PROCEDURES

The Mayor seeks a motion to receive and file the affidavit of mailing, publishing, and posting of public notice.
The Mayor calls on staff for a brief staff report and the City Council poses questions to staff.
The Mayor seeks a motion to open the public hearing and the City Council receives public comment.
The Mayor seeks a motion to close the public hearing after all testimony has been presented.
The City Council discusses the matter and arrives at its decision.


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.



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 is now bringing forward a draft ordinance to establish a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services, including definitions, permitted locations, performance standards and related provisions. A summary of the proposed regulations are included as Attachment 3.

Staff has also 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. 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.

There are two procedural pathways to consider:
Adopt an urgency ordinance to establish a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services (four-fifths vote required); OR
Introduce an ordinance for a first hearing to establish a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services, to be brought back to Council at a later date for a second hearing and adoption.

Urgency Ordinance

Generally, an ordinance must be introduced at one City Council meeting then adopted at a second City Council meeting. The ordinance then takes effect 30 days later. Culver City Charter section 614 and Government Code section 36937 allow the City to adopt an urgency ordinance, which takes effect immediately upon adoption, when the City Council declares an ordinance necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and includes a statement describing the reasons for the urgency. An urgency ordinance requires a 4/5 vote of the City Council for adoption. It takes effect immediately without requiring a second hearing.

Based on direction from the City Council on August 10, 2026, staff has prepared a draft urgency ordinance which includes the public peace, health and safety reasons for the urgency (Attachment 1).

Regular Zoning Ordinance

Alternatively, the City Council can introduce a regular zoning ordinance regulating AV fleet services and site operations. As part of this process, City staff would return to the City Council at a later date for a second hearing on the regular zoning ordinance to consider its adoption. Introduction of a regular zoning ordinance would require a simple majority vote of the City Council for adoption. Staff has prepared a draft regular ordinance (Attachment 2).


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. However, such a regulatory framework would 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

2026-09-14_ATT1_Urgency Ordinance
2026-09-14_ATT2_Regular Ordinance
2026-09-14_ATT3_Summary of Proposed Regulations
2026-09-14_ATT4_City Council Presentation

recommended action
MOTION(S)

That the City Council:

Adopt an urgency ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 1, and adopt an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3) (four-fifths vote required); OR

Introduce an ordinance establishing a new use classification, standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services as shown in Attachment 2, and adopt an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061 (b)(3).