Court of Appeal temporarily stays Waymo injunction pending challenge to trial court’s decision to halt overnight operations

August 14, 2026 7:20 PM

Trial court's findings for the City stand; only enforcement is paused

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Aug. 14, 2026) - The California Court of Appeals has temporarily stayed enforcement of the preliminary injunction that paused overnight operations at Waymo's charging facilities at 1222 and 1310 Broadway, allowing the company to resume 24-hour operations while consideration of Waymo's request for a stay, pending the appeal, proceeds. The stay does not decide the merits of the City's case, and the trial court's July 27 findings in the City's favor have not been overturned.

In granting the injunction, the Los Angeles County Superior Court found the City had established a reasonable probability of prevailing on its public nuisance claim, and that the harm to residents from overnight noise, lights and traffic outweighs any harm to Waymo from not operating overnight pending a trial.

"The Court of Appeal has temporarily paused enforcement of the injunction while it considers Waymo's challenge to the trial court's decision. The temporary pause was issued without the benefit of the City's opposition, and it has not reversed or vacated the trial court's findings," City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln said. "Temporary orders do not end this dispute for our residents. A final decision does, and we will be urging the court to move quickly toward one."

The Court of Appeal set a briefing schedule on Waymo's petition, with the City's opposition due Aug. 24, and Waymo may file a reply by Sept. 2. The court also directed the parties to propose an expedited schedule for the appeal itself.

For more than a year, residents living beside the Broadway lots have reported overnight noise, lights and traffic that make it difficult to sleep. Before seeking court intervention, the City worked for months to resolve the impacts cooperatively, including direct engagement with Waymo, formal requests to modify overnight operations and mediation.

The City's position has not changed. This case has never been about whether autonomous vehicles belong in Santa Monica. It is about ensuring around-the-clock operations remain compatible with the neighborhoods around them.

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