Land Movement Update

November 19 City Council Meeting 

On November 19, the City Council will receive an update on the City’s efforts to slow movement in the Portuguese Bend landslide area and prepare for the rainy months. Dewatering efforts by the City and the geological hazard abatement districts in combination with a dry summer have significantly reduced ground movement.  

Since early September, the overall average rate of movement has decelerated by 76% to 3.3 inches per week. The Klondike Canyon Landslide stopped moving in mid-October. The landslide complex as a whole is still moving approximately 25 times faster than it was two years ago. 

The Council will also receive an update on the City’s Voluntary Property Buyout Program and a comprehensive look at the costs of responding to the landslide emergency. Staff anticipates that by the end of this fiscal year in June 2025, the City’s landslide response will reach an estimated $43.6 million since October 2022. 

Finally, the Council will consider the extending the local emergency declarations in the landslide area that were put in place to bolster the City’s response to the land movement and utility shutoffs. Both declarations must be extended every 60 days to remain in effect. 

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

Meeting Info

The meeting will take place on November 19 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live at rpvca.gov or on Cox 33/FiOS 38. To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on this topic to cc@rpvca.gov.

Voluntary Property Buyout Program Update

With the November 8 deadline for the Voluntary Property Buyout Program now passed, the City and Cal OES are reviewing the 85 eligible applications that were submitted. As part of this process, the Building and Safety Division conducted 69 inspections, red-tagging 18 properties and yellow-tagging 34. Sixteen property owners submitted applications without requesting an inspection. Please note that while the City is no longer accepting applications, those who applied without requesting an inspection may still request one from Building and Safety at buildingsafety@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5280. Inspections are not required, but red- and yellow-tagged homes will be given priority.  

Many applicants are eager to know when properties will be selected to proceed with escrow. While the City does not have a definitive timeline, we anticipate the review and selection process will take at least several months. Please know City staff is working as quickly as possible to determine whether the properties meet FEMA's eligibility requirements and pass cost-effectiveness, environmental and historic preservation reviews. Each application must be carefully vetted for compliance with program rules and regulations. 

Reminder: Decline-in-Value Review Filing Period Ends November 30

If you believe that your property value warrants review due to a decline in market value, you may file an application for Decline-in-Value Review by the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office. 

In 1978, California voters passed Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that allows a temporary reduction in assessed value when a property suffers a “Decline-in-Value.” A Decline-in-Value occurs when the current market value of your property is less than the current assessed value as of January 1. The annual Decline-in-Value filing period is July 2 through November 30. 

For more information about Decline-in-Value and how property value is assessed, go to https://assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/decline-in-value. 

Questions? 

If you have questions, 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 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.