Community Meetings


Landslide Development Regulations Town Hall

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes held 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.

The proposed code amendments are available at the links below:

PowerPoint Presentation

The PowerPoint presentation from the Town Hall Meeting is available at the link below:


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.

October 28, 2024 - Special Town Hall City Council Meeting

Below is a recording of a special City Council meeting during which the City, FEMA and Cal OES announced a $42 million voluntary buyout program for residents with homes damaged or threatened by land movement.

The PowerPoint presentation (PDF) from the town hall is also available on the City website.

July 31, 2024 - Landslide Community Q&A

Below is a recording of the Landslide Community Q&A hosted by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes at the Ladera Linda Community Center on July 31, 2024. 


April 17, 2024 - Landslide Town Hall Meeting Q&A 

In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the Landslide Town Hall Meeting held at the Ladera Linda Community Center on April 17, 2024, on RPVtv's YouTube channel. Thanks to everyone who participated in this informative event bringing together the community and the government agencies and utilities responding to accelerated land movement in the Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. Download Presentation (PDF)

April 17, 2024 - Landslide Town Hall Meeting Q&A Follow-up

RPVtv host Liz Brown Swanson sits down with City Manager Ara Mihranian and Public Works Director Ramzi Awwad for an extended Q&A session featuring questions submitted during the Landslide Town Hall Meeting. Watch on Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38 or RPVtv’s YouTube channel.