On Friday, August 7, 2026, Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Bradley S. Phillips denied Waymo LLC’s request for a stay of the injunction that prohibits the company from recharging its autonomous vehicles overnight at two city parking lots. The decision leaves the injunction fully in effect while Waymo’s appeal proceeds.
Judge Phillips explained that the request relied on a statement made by a Waymo marketing employee. He described that declaration as hearsay and determined that it did not introduce any new factual information that would justify altering the existing court order. Because the submission offered no additional evidence, the judge concluded there was insufficient basis to grant a pause.
The injunction, originally issued to stop overnight recharging operations at the two municipal lots, remains enforceable. Waymo had asked the court to temporarily suspend the ban so that its vehicles could continue to charge during the appeal process. The court’s refusal means the company must continue to comply with the prohibition pending a higher‑court ruling.
Waymo’s appeal is still pending, and the company has not presented further documentation or testimony beyond the marketing employee’s comment. The lack of new facts means the appellate review will proceed without any modification to the lower‑court order at this stage.
As a result, the city of Santa Monica will continue to enforce the overnight charging ban at the two designated parking facilities. Waymo must adhere to the current restrictions until the appellate court issues a decision on the matter, and any future relief will depend on the outcome of that higher‑court review.
The ruling underscores the court’s reliance on concrete evidence when considering stays of injunctions and maintains the status quo for Waymo’s charging operations in Santa Monica.