The City of Culver City is developing proposed zoning regulations for Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services, and they want to hear from the community.
After a contentious City Council discussion on August 10, 2026 that saw the council refuse to consider placing a moratorium on permits for autonomous Vehicle Fleets, the matter will return to the next meeting on Sept. 14. This puts city staff into urgency mode to gather data, research how other cities have created policy, and come up with an ordinance that will work.
After a unanimous vote by the City Council of Santa Monica to end overnight hours at an AV fleet charging station, that city had to wait ten months for a judge to rule on the case before overnight operations were halted.
How Culver City creates zoning for AV fleets will make a great deal of difference to where these businesses build.
From the City, “Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services are operations that support autonomous vehicles and may operate around the clock. Activities can include vehicle charging, light cleaning and maintenance, software servicing, storage, and administrative operations.
Facilities with vehicle charging only are not addressed by the proposed regulations, because these are already regulated by State law and the Culver City Code.
The proposed zoning regulations would establish where these operations could be located in Culver City and create standards intended to limit potential impacts on nearby neighborhoods, businesses, public streets, and emergency services.”
Under the current proposed framework, the city would allow Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services in mixed-use zones in the City, subject to operating standards. They would not be permitted in residential zones, within 100 feet of residential zones, downtown, or next to hospitals, fire stations, police stations, and other public safety facilities.
The proposed regulations would also establish an administrative review process with a public notice requirement and appeal provision for operators seeking alternative ways to meet certain site design or operational requirements. Any alternative would need to provide an equivalent level of protection for public health and safety and ensure that emergency access is not affected.
The Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services Proposed Policy Framework is still under consideration, and community input is an important part of the process. This is the same policy framework being provided to industry representatives for review.
The proposed Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Services zoning regulations are anticipated to be considered by the City Council on Monday, September 14, 2026. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback through the City’s website before 3 PM on September 14 so comments can be considered in advance of the public hearing.
The public is also encouraged to participate in the City Council meeting and speak directly to the City Council during the public hearing on this proposal.
Visit the City’s webpage to learn more about the proposal and provide your feedback.
Judith Martin-Straw
Additional text City of Culver City
