Landslide Development Regulations Town Hall July 16

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will host a Town Hall Meeting regarding proposed Municipal Code amendments to address future development in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. These amendments would permanently prohibit new construction in the landslide area due to the substantial change in circumstances of the land movement.

Residents are invited to learn about the proposed code amendments and share their input during the Town Hall, which will include a presentation from City staff and a question-and-answer session. The proposed code amendments will be made available in advance of the Town Hall no later than Friday, July 11, on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.

Meeting Info

The Town Hall will take place on July 16, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Ladera Linda Community Park and via Zoom. Refreshments will be served. Both in-person and Zoom participants will have the opportunity to submit questions to City staff.

Background Info

In September 1978, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes adopted a Landslide Moratorium Ordinance prohibiting new development in the Portuguese Bend Landslide area due to accelerated land movement. The ordinance was updated over the years to grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

After heavy rainstorms triggered a historic increase in land movement, in October 2023, the City declared a local state of emergency and implemented an additional moratorium prohibiting all new construction in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. Due to state law for moratoriums, the prohibition is set to expire on October 2, 2025.

As the landslide emergency continues, and with dozens of homes now red- or yellow-tagged due to land movement, the City has been studying revising the 1978 Landslide Moratorium Ordinance to permanently address development in light of the substantial change in recent circumstances.

At its meeting on August 5, the City Council will consider amending the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code to prohibit new residential construction within the landslide complex, including home additions. Property owners would be permitted to replace, restore, and repair development within its existing footprint. Additionally, the boundaries of the landslide complex would be updated to correspond with the expanded limits of recent land movement.

The full text of the proposed code amendments will be made available in advance of the July 16 Town Hall no later than July 11 on the City website at rpvca.gov/landmovement.

Questions?

If you have questions about the meeting, please email the City at landmovement@rpvca.gov.

Media Inquiries

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City's communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list, so you receive our newsletter updates, press releases and media advisories.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.