Proposed Ordinance
Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services
City Council – September 14, 2026
Planning & Development
Background
• 2015 – AB 1236 Electric Vehicle
(EV) charging streamlining act
• 2022 – CA Public Utilities
Commission issued first AV fleet
operator permits
• 2024 – AV fleets expand to LA
region, with driverless ride-
hailing on 24-hour basis
• Culver City at center
of service area
• City has received a
number of inquiries and
initial applications for
AV Fleet Services
Culver City
Source: Waymo Help - Service Areas
Background
2045 General Plan
• Encourages new technology to achieve
equitable access, high-quality mobility services,
efficient operations, and sustainable
transportation outcomes (Mobility Goal M-7)
• “The expansion of shared, autonomous, and
electric mobility options can also help to improve
systemwide efficiency, safety, and convenience,
while offering environmental benefits.”
Potential Impacts/Concerns
• Queuing/blocking rights-of-way, emergency access
• 24-hour operations with noise and light impacts
• Limited on-site staffing or oversight
• Proximity to sensitive receptors and residential uses • Case Study: Santa Monica
Proposed AV Fleet Services Definition
Passenger transportation services, local delivery services, other businesses that rely on fleets of 5 or more AVs.
• Includes: material storage, light cleaning, software servicing, light vehicle maintenance/servicing, and offices.
• Excludes: EV charging only (AB-1236); Note: EV charging presence does not exempt facilities from this classification Proposed Permissible Locations
• Permitted in most Mixed Use Zones (MU-1, MU-2, MU-I, MU- MD, MU-HD, FH-MD, FH-HD), subject to Performance
Standards
• Not Permitted in:
• Residential Zones (R1, R2, RLD, RMD, RHD).
• Within 100 feet of Residential zones, unless inside enclosed structures.
• Two Mixed Use Zones (MU-N, MU-DT), unless inside
enclosed structures.
• Parcels abutting and sharing street/alley frontage with hospitals, fire stations, police/highway patrol stations SLAUSON* This is an approximate
representation. The
Ordinance controls.
Proposed Permissible Locations
Permitted: MU-1, MU-2, MU-I, MU-
MD, MU-HD, FH-MD, FH-HD
Permitted within Enclosed Structures:
MU-N, MU-DT
Proposed Performance Standards
Site Access and Circulation
• 11-ft travel lane kept clear on adjacent rights-of-way • Clearance, circulation, emergency access per Fire Code • AV towing, loading, and delivery limited to daytime hours Parking Design & Layout
• Design Standards per CCMC 17.320.035
• Driveway & Site Access per CCMC 17.320.040
Proposed Performance Standards
Lighting and Noise
• Outdoor Lighting Standards per CCMC 17.300.040
• Noise standards per CCMC 9.07 and General Plan
Noise Element.
• Screening to block light and attenuate noise
• 6-ft wrought-iron fence with landscaping
• Alternative materials with Director approval
Proposed Performance Standards
Operations & Site Maintenance
• Outdoor/open storage limited to 300 sf, with 6-ft
decorative masonry wall enclosure
• Refuse storage area, with 5-ft masonry wall
enclosure and solid gate
• On-site utilities located and screened per
CCMC 17.300.035
Proposed Performance Standards
On-Site Personnel and Emergency Contact
• One on-site staff required during operating hours
• 24-hour emergency contact phone number to
address on-site emergencies posted in public
view
Outreach
• Aug 11-Sept 2: 7 AV
developer/operator
meetings
• Aug 25: LA City meeting
• Aug 31: GO-Biz meeting
• Sept 2: Draft
Policy Framework
webpage published
• Sept 8: 3 AV
developer/operator
meetings
CEQA Exemption - Section 15061(b)(3)
• Does not result in changes to existing land use,
density, or development patterns
• Parking and EV charging already permitted in all
proposed zones
• Performance standards address potential health
and safety impacts
Motion Options
1. Urgency Ordinance to immediately establish a
new use classification, standards, and approval
procedures for AV Fleet Services (4/5 vote
required); OR
2. Standard Ordinance for a first hearing to establish
a new use classification, standards, and approval
procedures for AV Fleet Services, brought back for
Council adoption at a later date.
Questions