San Francisco residents complain about Tesla charging lot owners blasting music and causing late night chaos on Lombard Street

What was meant to be a convenience for electric vehicle drivers has turned into a nightly headache for residents living near a Tesla charging lot on Lombard Street in San Francisco.

Neighbors say once the bars close and the streets start to quiet down, that’s when the real noise begins.

Dozens of Tesla drivers reportedly pull into the 24-hour charging station, lining up for open spots, revving music systems, and sometimes arguing over who gets to plug in next.

For the people living just steps away, the scene has become all too familiar — and exhausting.

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“Peaceful Enjoyment” Gone

Laurel Calsoni, who lives nearby on Moulton Street, says her nights now stretch into early morning hours as she waits for the noise to fade.

“It’s the bass,” she explained in an interview with local outlet SFGate.

According to her, the deep thumping music from parked vehicles vibrates through her apartment walls, particularly on weekends.

Friday through Sunday, she says, the disturbance can continue until 5 a.m.

The charging lot is one of the few 24-hour Tesla facilities in the city, which makes it a magnet for drivers at all hours.

But residents argue that round-the-clock access without supervision has created a free-for-all environment.

Calsoni says attempts to politely ask drivers to turn down their music were met with hostility.

Her frustration boiled over as she described what she sees as an entitled attitude among some of the drivers using the space.

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Formal Complaints Filed With City Officials

Earlier this month, fed up residents took action.

They filed a formal complaint with the San Francisco Planning Department, describing the charging lot as a “nightmare” and labeling it a public nuisance.

The document claims that cars routinely blast music while charging, partygoers gather late into the night, and trash piles up around the property.

The complaint calls for several changes: fencing in the lot, ending 24-hour access, and revisiting the permit that allowed the facility to operate without staffing or oversight.

Some residents also dispute claims that they were notified in advance when the lot was approved.

At least one neighbor stated that no notification letter was received, despite their apartment overlooking the site.

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Traffic Chaos and Safety Fears

It’s not just noise that has neighbors concerned.

Ray Whelan, another Moulton Street resident who has lived in the neighborhood for five years, says traffic congestion has become a daily issue.

Cars line up on both sides of the lot, sometimes spilling into surrounding streets and blocking access for residents.

Whelan does not want to see the station shut down entirely.

Instead, he believes traffic flow needs to be better managed — perhaps through a one-way entry and exit system to prevent bottlenecks.

Online reviews for the location echo those complaints.

Drivers describe severe traffic backups, difficulty entering the lot, and even vandalism incidents while cars were left charging.

Others warn that the congestion creates a safety hazard and say the situation is disrupting community life.

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The Bigger Context of EV Growth

The controversy highlights a growing tension in dense urban areas adapting to electric vehicle infrastructure.

California has been aggressively expanding EV adoption, and Tesla operates one of the largest fast-charging networks in the country.

As more drivers rely on public chargers — especially apartment dwellers without private garages — demand for 24-hour access has surged.

But infrastructure sometimes outpaces planning.

Charging hubs placed near residential zones can become high-traffic gathering spots, particularly in nightlife corridors like Lombard Street.

Urban planners across the country have faced similar growing pains as cities balance sustainability goals with neighborhood livability.

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City Officials Respond Carefully

District Two Supervisor Stephen Sherill acknowledged residents’ concerns in a statement, saying his office is working with the property owner, the Planning Department, and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to find solutions.

For now, it’s early days. Conversations are ongoing, and no concrete changes have been announced.

In the meantime, a building manager has installed signs asking drivers to keep noise levels down. Whether signage alone will solve the problem remains to be seen.

Attempts to obtain comment from Tesla and city departments have not yet produced public responses.

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What’s Next?

Several outcomes are possible.

City officials could modify the permit governing the lot, potentially restricting hours or requiring on-site supervision.

Traffic management adjustments, such as designated entry and exit routes, might also be introduced.

If complaints persist, residents may push for more formal hearings or enforcement action.

At the same time, city leaders will need to balance those concerns with San Francisco’s broader climate goals, which depend heavily on expanding electric vehicle infrastructure.

The tension between sustainability and neighborhood peace is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

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Summary

Residents living near a 24-hour Tesla charging lot on Lombard Street in San Francisco say loud music, late-night arguments, and heavy traffic are disrupting their sleep and daily lives.

Formal complaints have been filed with city officials, calling the unmanned facility a nuisance and requesting oversight, fencing, and limited operating hours.

Neighbors also report congestion and safety concerns tied to long lines of vehicles.

City leaders are reviewing the situation while working to preserve access to EV infrastructure.

The outcome may shape how urban charging stations are managed in residential neighborhoods going forward.