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 permanently ban new construction in landslide areas after state and county action

Rancho Palos Verdes is moving to put a permanent ban on new residential construction and home additions in areas classified as landslide-prone, following recent support from county and state officials for stronger landslide disaster rules. The city council introduced an ordinance that would stop new building in the most at-risk zones while allowing owners to fix or replace homes inside existing footprints.

Key decision and timing

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on August 5 to back a proposed state law, Assembly Bill 986, which would formally list landslides as a natural disaster under the California Emergency Services Act. The bill would give places like Rancho Palos Verdes a clearer path to declare emergencies and get state aid after landslide damage. AB 986 cleared the Assembly in June, passed a Senate governmental organization committee in July, and is scheduled for a Senate appropriations hearing on August 18.

What the city ordinance would do

The city council’s proposed ordinance would:

• Prohibit new residential construction and additions in designated landslide areas on a permanent basis.
• Allow property owners to replace, restore, or repair homes only within the existing building footprint.
• Update the boundaries of the landslide complex to include eight additional properties—seven in the Seaview neighborhood and one in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club.
• Provide a process for owners to apply for exclusion from the landslide regulation area under strict safety criteria.

The ordinance had its first reading recently. A second reading and vote are scheduled for the city council meeting on August 19. If the council approves the ordinance, the rules would take effect 30 days after that vote.

Steps for landslide response and long-term control

Along with the ordinance, the council is starting work to form a new geological hazard abatement district, known as a GHAD, for the Portuguese Bend Landslide. The city plans to issue a Request for Proposals to hire a geologist to produce an engineering report and a landslide abatement plan. Public meetings will follow the report so residents can review proposals for the GHAD, which would allow more flexible and faster land management and repairs than current tools.

Scale of the problem

City officials report two years of unprecedented landslide movement that has damaged homes, roads, and utilities. About 40 homes are marked as red-tagged and uninhabitable, and 38 homes are marked as yellow-tagged for major structural damage. The city is already pursuing mitigation work, including a deep dewatering program designed to remove groundwater that contributes to slope movement.

Why officials say the ban is needed

Officials describe the permanent ban on new construction in landslide zones as a public safety measure intended to reduce future displacement and risk. Support at the county level for AB 986 aims to make it easier to get state support when landslide displacement becomes a local emergency.

Community reaction and economic concerns

The proposed rules face opposition from some homeowners in recently stabilized areas and from owners of undeveloped lots who worry the restrictions will lower property values and harm the local market. There are also concerns that a strict moratorium could have uneven economic impacts on affected families and landowners.

Background and past actions

The current landslide complex traces back to a historical failure that reactivated in 1956 after construction. The city has used similar development limits in past emergencies, but those measures were weakened over time by lawsuits and by carved-out exceptions. The new ordinance aims to tighten those rules to avoid repeating past weakening of protections.

Next steps

• State: AB 986 moves to a Senate appropriations hearing on August 18 for funding review and final steps.
• Local: City council vote scheduled for August 19; new rules would take effect 30 days after approval.
• Technical: City will seek geologic studies, prepare an abatement plan, and hold public meetings on forming the GHAD.

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Frequently asked questions

Quick reference chart: Key features and status

Feature	What it means	Current status / numbers
Permanent construction ban	No new houses or additions in landslide zones	Introduced; vote Aug 19; takes effect 30 days after approval
AB 986 (state bill)	Classify landslides as natural disasters for state aid	Supported by county Aug 5; appropriations hearing Aug 18
Boundary updates	Adds properties to the landslide complex	Eight more properties included
Tagged homes	Homes deemed unsafe or damaged	About 40 red-tagged; 38 yellow-tagged
Mitigation work	Ongoing technical projects to reduce slide risk	Deep dewatering program in progress; GHAD study planned

This report summarizes local planning and state-level steps underway to address an active landslide complex that has caused significant damage and displacement. For homeowners and interested residents, the most immediate dates to watch are August 18 for the state appropriations hearing on AB 986 and August 19 for the city council vote on the ordinance.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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