Santa Monica has demanded that Waymo halt overnight operations at two Broadway electric vehicle charging facilities by Nov. 26, threatening litigation if the autonomous vehicle company fails to comply with the city's declaration that the sites constitute a public nuisance.
In a Nov. 19 letter to Waymo, property owner SMF Property Holdings LLC, and charging station operator Santa Monica EV Holdings LLC (Voltera), Chief Deputy City Attorney Romy Ganschow ordered the companies to cease all operations between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. at facilities located at 1222 and 1310 Broadway.
The city has received more than 40 complaints through its 3-1-1 system since the beginning of this year from at least 15 residents about the Broadway facilities, with more than half submitted since August, according to the letter. The City Attorney's Office warned that if the companies fail to confirm compliance by the deadline, the city will pursue civil action seeking injunctions, damages and costs.
"It shall be unlawful for any person to make, produce, maintain, cause or permit to be made any noises or sounds in such manner so as to unreasonably disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of persons of normal sensitivity within the area of audibility," the city letter states, citing municipal code provisions.
Neighboring residents have reported excessive noise disturbances from dozens of Waymo vehicles traveling through the 12th Court alley between Colorado Avenue and Broadway each hour, according to the city's letter. Residents describe hearing whirring or humming sounds from vehicles, clunking noises from cars driving over manhole covers, and reverse beeping audible from inside their homes.
"Neighbors report being woken up or being unable to sleep due to 12, 24, 40, or even 85 consecutive beeps from Waymo cars at all hours of the night," the letter states, noting these complaints continued even after Waymo changed reverse beeping settings during the summer.
Residents also describe ticking, clicking and swooshing sounds from Waymo vehicles charging at both facilities, sometimes as many as 58 cars per site. Multiple neighbors reported employees talking loudly, especially at night.
Light pollution from constant flashing headlights and taillights has transformed the neighborhood into a "mini-Las Vegas," according to resident complaints cited in the letter. City staff observed blinking lights reflecting off nearby residential buildings.
Traffic congestion has also created safety concerns. On Nov. 2, residents were awakened late at night by dozens of Waymo cars lining up the full length of the 12th Court alley and into the 1222 Broadway facility. The city letter notes it took approximately 20 minutes for attendants to clear the queue, potentially blocking emergency vehicle access.
The city determined the overnight operations violate multiple municipal code sections and state civil code provisions defining public nuisances. Ganschow cited factors including noise volume, intensity and duration; the proximity to residential units; low background noise levels at night; and the time of day operations occur.
"The volume, intensity, and duration of the sound of dozens of Waymo cars driving up the 12th Court alley, beeping frequently in and around both Broadway Lots, and emitting other mechanical noises while charging at the lots, as well as the regular loud and disruptive conversations of lot workers, all occurring at throughout the night and within less than 100 feet of dozens of residential units where people are trying to rest, relax, and sleep, has become unbearable," the letter states.
The city rejected arguments that state law authorizing expedited permitting for electric vehicle charging stations immunizes the facilities from nuisance regulations. The letter notes that AB 970 does not address management or operation of charging stations after installation and does not authorize companies to maintain property in a manner constituting a public nuisance.
The demand follows months of escalating tensions between the city and Waymo, which began commercial robotaxi service in Santa Monica earlier this year. The city's Sept. 9 letter and an Oct. 15 meeting between city staff and company representatives preceded the interim city attorney's public report to the City Council directing legal action.
In a Nov. 20 response letter, Waymo Senior Director Bill Hansen expressed disappointment with the city's approach and detailed voluntary mitigation measures already implemented.
"We were deeply disappointed by the City's apparent lack of interest in circulation mitigation efforts, light and noise mitigation efforts, or any other efforts made by Waymo," Hansen wrote, describing the Oct. 15 meeting as contradicting the city's earlier stance.
Waymo implemented software fixes to significantly reduce backup beeping noise levels and frequency inside the facilities after months of work with vehicle suppliers and federal regulators. The company prohibited on-site personnel from cleaning vehicles between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and requires low-decibel equipment during daytime hours.
The company has also halved the time vehicles spend at the sites, adjusted routing to reduce congestion, artificially limited charging capacity below permitted levels, and restricted the number of vehicles that can move concurrently.
"Waymo is proud to provide safe rides and safe streets to Santa Monica residents and to invest in the City," Hansen wrote. "Waymo looks forward to continuing to serve residents and invest in the City, and hopes to work amicably with City staff to resolve any outstanding issues."
In a separate statement, Waymo emphasized its community commitment: "Santa Monica riders love Waymo's safety, reliability, and sustainability. We provide tens of thousands of rides each week in Santa Monica, and we are committed to continuing to operate and invest in the city."
The company noted it has worked with local organizations including the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club and Santa Monica Spoke, hosted community presentations at Franklin Elementary School, and provided free transportation to fire victims. Waymo is sponsoring the Boys and Girls Club Annual Toy Drive in December to serve more than 300 local families.
Waymo also disputed the city's legal interpretation, arguing that charging operations comply with state law governing alternative fuels and recharging facilities and that the city's municipal code explicitly approved the sites for 24-hour operation. The company noted the facilities were permitted specifically for charging an autonomous vehicle fleet with some on-site cleaning and light maintenance.
The company has said it has always tried to comply with rules and regulations citing numerous attempts to mitigate various complaints since it opened.
Hansen proposed additional mitigation measures including a second curb cut access point, vegetation barriers, solid walls or fencing, and awnings to reduce noise and light impacts, all requiring city approval.