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Santa Monica group opposes Waymo's overnight recharging
A citizens group has lent its support to a request by the city of Santa Monica that a court find that the two Waymo LLC Broadway recharging stations are public nuisances.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. - The city of Santa Monica is escalating a legal battle against Waymo LLC, supported by local activists, to address resident complaints regarding 24/7 autonomous vehicle operations.
What we know:
The city filed court papers on Dec. 24 in Beverly Hills Superior Court, characterizing Waymo's recharging stations as a public nuisance.
Residents have described the environment as a "mini-Las Vegas" and "a circus," citing disruptions from worker chatter, vehicle motor sounds, and high-frequency noise that echoes through local alleys.
Support for the city's position grew on Feb. 4 when attorney Alan Sege filed a letter from the co-chairmen of Santa Monica for Renters Rights (SMRR).
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Santa Monica calls Waymo charging sites a ‘public nuisance,’ asks judge to limit overnight operations
The group expressed that it is "deeply disturbed by the disruptions and the burdens imposed on residential neighbors," stating it is not acceptable for residents to "endure sleepless nights."
Waymo filed its own lawsuit against the city on Dec. 17.
The company maintains its use of the Broadway lots is lawful and claims to have already spent resources on software updates, noise barriers, and modified vehicle behaviors to decrease environmental impacts.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Santa Monica seeks injunction against Waymo
Residents living in apartments nearby say loud noises and strong lights have impacted their sleep.
Timeline
- October 2024: Residents begin reporting disruptions following the opening of a new Waymo lot.
- Dec. 17, 2025: Waymo files a lawsuit against Santa Monica to prevent city interference with its operations.
- Dec. 24, 2025: Santa Monica files court papers seeking to declare the lots a public nuisance.
- Feb. 4, 2026: SMRR officially backs the city’s request via a court-filed letter.
- March 20, 2026: A court hearing is scheduled to decide on the proposed injunction.
What they're saying:
Residents provided sworn declarations detailing the impact on their daily lives.
Paula Achter, 69, noted the loss of local wildlife, stating, "I used to hear birds singing in the morning from my apartment... I believe that they have nested elsewhere due to the Waymo frequency."
Victoria Benchuk, a mother to an autistic son, highlighted the human toll: "When there are multiple Waymos stopped in the alley, the noise... wake up my son two to four nights a week."
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Waymo, however, claims their mitigation efforts have worked. According to their suit, "These changes resulted in a material decrease in noise and light levels during Waymo's overnight operations."
What's next:
The legal path forward hinges on the March 20 hearing.
If the judge grants the injunction, Waymo would be forced to cease recharging operations between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. or implement "appropriate measures" dictated by the court.
Meanwhile, the court must also weigh Waymo’s countersuit, which seeks to protect its right to operate without city interference.
The Source: This report is based on legal filings from the Beverly Hills Superior Court, including an injunction request filed by the city of Santa Monica and a countersuit by Waymo LLC. City News Service contributed.