Land Movement Update

Sewer Update

Over the weekend, land movement caused an approximately 10,000-gallon sewer spill on private property along Palos Verdes Drive South near Narcissa Drive. The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), the agency that operates the main trunk sewers that transport wastewater out of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, quickly responded to stop the spill and make an emergency repair.

It is the City’s understanding that this incident was the first significant break in LACSD’s infrastructure due to ongoing land movement. We continue to work closely with LACSD to expedite permitting for repair work, as needed, as well as efforts to install an above-ground by-pass sewer pipe along Palos Verdes Drive South.

Saturday morning’s incident underscores the urgent need to slow the land movement and prevent a major sewer failure, which would have a far-reaching impact across the Peninsula. 

As a reminder, in the event of unforeseen land movement that severely compromises LACSD infrastructure on the Peninsula, LACSD has created a webpage with information for residents about what to expect and what to do: lacsd.org/rpv. The website contains information that will be updated frequently in accordance with any major disruption. It also contains information pertaining to potential disruption, not current circumstances. In the event of future catastrophic land movement, residents will be directed to access the information on this page frequently for updates. Please bookmark the link on your phone or computer. 

Please report sewage overflows or sewer emergencies to LACSD by calling its 24-hour number, 562-437-6520.

September 3 City Council Meeting

On September 3, the City Council will consider extending the building moratorium that was put in place in the landslide area when a state of emergency was declared in October 2023 due to accelerated land movement. If approved, the moratorium would remain in effect through October 2, 2025.

The Council will also consider establishing regulations and procedures to help homeowners in the landslide area stabilize and level their houses. These temporary solutions include placing homes on cargo structures and other leveling systems, such as I-beams, and installing alternative foundation systems to help maintain the integrity of the structure as the land shifts.

A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website. 

SB 1461 Update

Senator Ben Allen’s landslide legislation, SB 1461, continues to move through the state Legislature, which adjourns this weekend. The bill, scheduled for a vote in the Assembly today, would add "landslide" as a condition constituting a state of emergency or local emergency in the Emergency Services Act. A status update will be provided in the next community update. The City continues to await word from the state on whether Governor Gavin Newsom will declare a state of emergency in response to SoCalGas’ shutoffs in the Portuguese Bend community. The City requested a state of emergency under one of the existing conditions in the Emergency Services Act, a “sudden and severe energy shortage.”

The City will continue to provide regular community updates at rpvca.gov/landmovement. 

Questions? 

If you have questions, please email 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 listserv 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.