Rancho Palos Verdes Moves to Ban Construction in Landslide Areas

Rancho Palos Verdes, August 12, 2025

News Summary

Rancho Palos Verdes is taking significant steps to enhance public safety by permanently prohibiting new residential construction in landslide-prone areas. Following support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for a related bill, the city council is set to introduce an ordinance formalizing this construction ban. Residents in these zones may still repair their homes, but concerns of property value impacts linger. As the city addresses extensive landslide damage, this move aims to protect community safety and ensure comprehensive emergency management.

Rancho Palos Verdes Moves to Ban New Construction in Landslide Areas

Rancho Palos Verdes (RPV) is moving towards a significant change in its approach to construction in landslide-prone areas. With recent legislative support, the city council has proposed an ordinance that would permanently prohibit new residential construction and home additions in these designated landslide areas. This decision comes after a history of managing landslide hazards that have plagued the region.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently backed Assembly Bill 986, which aims to amend the California Emergency Services Act. This bill, spearheaded by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, formally classifies landslides as a natural disaster, opening the door for disaster assistance to affected communities like RPV. The bill is set to provide a clearer pathway for local governments to declare emergencies related to landslides, emphasizing the need for state acknowledgment and support.

Legislative Actions and Local Responses

AB 986 has progressed through the legislative process, having received approval in June from the Assembly and in July from the Senate’s governmental organization committee. A critical hearing in the Senate appropriations committee is scheduled for August 18.

In response to increasing concerns about landslide-induced displacement, RPV city council introduced the new ordinance targeting construction in vulnerable areas. While the ordinance prohibits new construction, it allows property owners in landslide zones to replace, restore, or repair existing homes within their current footprint. Additionally, the council has updated the boundaries of the landslide complexes, affecting several properties in neighborhoods like Seaview and Portuguese Bend Beach Club.

Property Owner Considerations and Safety Regulations

Property owners facing issues related to landslides can apply for exclusion from the newly defined regulation areas, but strict criteria centered around safety must be met. The initial reading of the ordinance has already occurred, with a second reading and vote scheduled for the city council meeting on August 19. If approved, the new regulations will take effect after 30 days.

In tandem, city officials are forming a geological hazard abatement district (GHAD) specifically for managing the Portuguese Bend Landslide. A Request for Proposals will be issued to engage a geologist responsible for producing an engineering report and a comprehensive landslide abatement plan. Public meetings are anticipated following the completion of this report to discuss the establishment of the GHAD which is expected to facilitate more efficient land management.

Consequences of Landslides and Future Planning

The need for these changes is underscored by two years of unprecedented landslide movement in the area, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and utilities. City officials maintain that the permanent ban on new construction in landslide areas is vital for public safety. Approximately 40 homes in the region have been marked as red-tagged, rendering them uninhabitable, while another 38 homes have been yellow-tagged due to major structural damage.

Despite these safety measures, there is local opposition from homeowners in stabilized areas and owners of undeveloped lots, who fear that these strict regulations may lead to decreased property values and economic challenges. Historical context shows that landslide issues in the area have a long lineage, with past crises stemming from a complex that reactivated in 1956, largely attributed to prior construction activities.

The city’s initiatives for long-term landslide mitigation are already underway, with projects such as a deep dewatering program currently in progress. Such efforts aim to effectively address the ongoing risks posed by landslide occurrences.

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Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Rancho Palos Verdes Development Ban in Landslide Zone
• Wikipedia: Landslide
• Daily Breeze: Rancho Palos Verdes to Ban New Construction in Landslide Area
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Landslide
• Patch: RPV Officials Look to Ban New Construction in Landslide Zones
• Google Search: Rancho Palos Verdes landslide
• The Architect’s Newspaper: Rancho Palos Verdes Ban on New Construction in Landslides
• Google News: Rancho Palos Verdes landslide moves
• CBS News: NASA Mapping Rancho Palos Verdes Landslide Movement