ORD 700U II ORDINANCE NO. 700U
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA,
EXTENDING REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
TO INSTALL TEMPORARY FOUNDATION
MEASURES TO PRESERVE EXISTING
STRUCTURES AND TO AUTHORIZE
TEMPORARY HOUSING ON THE SAME SITE AS
AN EXISTING RESIDENCE WITHIN THE
GREATER PORTUGUESE BEND LANDSLIDE
COMPLEX
WHEREAS, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is home to three active Landslide
Complexes commonly known as the Portuguese Bend Landslide, the Abalone Cove
Landslide, and the Klondike Canyon Landslide, also known as the Greater Portuguese
Bend Landslide Complex (Landslide Complex). The landslides have been active since
the 1950s; and,
WHEREAS, the 2022-2023 rainy season brought exceptional amounts of rain to
the region. These rainy seasons produced about 190% of the average annual rainfall in
the region, with the region experiencing 20.9" of rain. As a result of the increased amount
of rain, all the. Landslide Complex has been subject to an alarming increase in land
movement; and,
WHEREAS, the 2023-24 rainy season also brought exceptional amounts of rain to
the region. The recorded rainfall was 23.01". This is 169% of the historical 67-year
average of 13.63" for this rain gauge; and,
WHEREAS, beginning in 2018, but particularly since May of 2023, the land
movement in the Landslide, Complex has increased significantly due to the increase in
rainfall in the 20.22-23 and 2023-24 rainy y seasons, which caused the water table to rise
dramatically and de-s.tab'ilize the landslides. The City has established, via repeated
geologic studies, that a significant factor in the.speed of land movement in the Landslide
Complex., including the jurisdictional boundaries of the Geologic. Hazard Abatement
Districts, is the amount of water in the soil; and,
WHEREAS, Chapter 2.44 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code (RPVM'C)
details the powers and responsibilities of the City during emergency circumstances., which
is defined in Section 2.24.020 as "the actual or threatened existence of conditions of dis-
aster o.r of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within this city caused by
such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, or earthquake, or other
conditions, including conditions resulting from war or imminent threat of war, but other
than conditions resulting from a labor controversy which conditions are or are likely to be
beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of this city, requiring
the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat;" and,
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes adopted Resolution No. 2023-47, declaring a local state of emergency because
of the alarming increase of land movement in the Landslide Complex. The state of
emergency based on the land movement has been extended as required by law and
is still active; and,,
WHEREAS, also on October 3, 2023, the City Council of the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes .adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 674U by a 4/5 vote, to
establish a 45-day moratorium on the acceptance or processing. of applications,
issuance of permits, and construction of all structures within the Landslide Complex
(the "Moratorium"); and.,
WHEREAS, the City Council also requested Staff continue to provide updates
on the measures being taken in th'e City's efforts to remediate the accelerated land
movement. At subsequent meetings, the City Council received updates on conditions
in the Landslide Complex as well as measures underway by various entities to reduce
landslide movement; and extended the local emergency on multiple occasions, the
latest extension pursuant to Resolution 2026-56; and,
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2023,, the California Department of Housing and
Community Development issued a letter of approval (Attachment K of Interim
Urgency Ordinance No. 674U) during the effective period of 45 days from its adoption
and its planned extension for up to 22 months and 15 days, allowing this ordinance to be
effective for a total of 24 months; and,
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2023, the City Council conducted a public
hearing and adopted Interim Urgency Ordinance No. 675U, extending the Moratorium
by the required four-fifths vote for an additional 10 months, and 15 days, expiring
October 2, 2024; and,
WHEREAS,, the land movement in the. Portuguese Bend Club (PBC) reached
ranges between about 11"-13" per week at the greatest rate of movement in the Landslide
Complex in July 2024. As a result, the utility companies (sewer, electric, water, gas) have
had to-take innovative and extraordinary measures to provide service to the residents of
the PBC. By way of example, water pipes have been and are being moved to above
ground; electric lines were de-energized and poles removed or moved; sewer trunk lines
located above ground; flexible joints:have been added to water and sewer pipes to provide
more give as the land moves. The constant movement of the land presents a unique
challenge for the utilities, and even more so for the residents of the P'BC; and,
WHEREAS, on July 29., 2024, at 9:00 am., with less than 72 hours.' notice, the
Southern California Gas. Company turned off natural gas service to approximately 135
homes in the PBC, stating providing roviding longerservice is no lon er safe due to the land
111
Ordinance No. 700U
Page 2 of 6
movement. Until the landslide is stabilized, it is unlikely that natural gas service can be
restored. The following streets are impacted: Cherryhill Lane; Cinnamon Lane; Clovetree
Place; Figtree Road; Fruit Tree Road; Ginger Root Lane.; Kumquat Lane; Narcissa Drive;
Palos Verdes Drive; Peppertree Drive; Plumtree Road; E. Pomegranate Road; W.
Pomegranate Road; Roseapple Road; Sweetbay Road; Tangerine Road; Thyme Place;
Vanderlip Drive; and,
WHEREAS, on July 30, 2024, Southern California Edison (SCE) issued a notice
to the PBC, Portuguese Bend Beach Club (PBBC),. and Seaview communities that stated,
in relevant part: "The ground movement affecting your neighborhood has created unsafe
and hazardous conditions, which have already impacted SCE's infrastructure, causing
power poles to lean and power lines. to fail. The impact on SCE's equipment caused by
these hazardous conditions increases the risk of system failure, fire ignition or other public
safety hazards. SCE will continue to serve your community as long as it is safe to do so.
We are working with the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and Los Angeles County officials
to monitor area conditions as they evolve. We recognize the impact the potential of
discontinued service has, and we appreciate your understanding. We will make every
effort to provide timely communications regarding any impact to your service, however,
the dynamic conditions in the area may not allow for advance notification. Because of this,
customers in the area are encouraged to begin planning for the potential suspension of
electric service." It is possible, therefore, that a deenergizing event will occur in the PBBC
in the foreseeable future: and,
WHEREAS, on August 6, 2024, City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-52, a
resolution of the City Council declaring the existence of a local emergency within the
geographic boundaries of th'e PBC, a portion of the Landslide Complex, based on a
sudden and severe energy shortage; and
WHEREAS, the acceleration of the land movement is such that the structural
components of some homes in the Landslide Complex, including roofing and foundations,
are b'ein,g negatively impacted; and
WHEREAS, some homes in the Landslide Complex may be or become
uninhabitable due to one or more conditions caused by the land movement including, but
not limited to, foundation damage, inadequate egress, severe structural damage, utility
failures or lack of critical utility services, unsafe electrical system, severe plumbing issues,
collapsed or compromised roof, unsafe load-bearing elements, or gas leaks, requiring
residents to find alternative housing; and,
WHEREAS,, on July 2, 2024, City Council directed Staff to explore options for
interim housing solutions within the Landslide Complex; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to, Government Code § 36937, subdivision (b), any
ordinance for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, containing
a declaration of the facts constituting the urgency, that is passed by a four-fifths vote of
the City Council, shall take effect immediately upon its adoption; and
Ordinance No. 700U
Page 3 of 6
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2024, the City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance
No. 687U to include standards and procedures for temporary foundation solutions and
other structural work to protect the integrity of the home, included as Attachment A to
Urgency Ordinance No. 687U; and
WHEREAS,, Urgency Ordinance No. 687U also included standards and
procedures for temporary housing structures to be installed on the same property as the
home that has been deemed uninhabitable, included as, Attachment B to Urgency
Ordinance No. 687U; and
WHEREAS, Urgency Ordinance N'o. 687U had a sunset provision to expire by
operation of law on December 31, 2026, unless extended by the City Council by a 4/5
vote; .and,
WHEREAS, as the land movement continues to move in portions of the Landslide
Complex at rates in excess of when the emergency was first declared on October 3, 2023,
it is possible that additional homes in the Landslide Complex may experience further
damage and continued temporary or permanent natural,gas or power shut-offs; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks and intends to protect the health, safety, and
welfare of the residents of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes by extending the adopted
implementation actions of Urgency Ordinance No. 687U for an additional 2. years to
preserve existing residential structures within the landslide complex and consider potential
options fortemporary housing during the local emergency within the geographic boundaries
of the Landslide Complex.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The City Council hereby determines that the above recitals
are true and correct, and incorporates the same as the findings of the City Council.
Section 2. Urgency Findings. Homes in the Landslide Complex are being stressed
and damaged by the continued land movement. Based on the rate of land movement,
property owners are unable to repair damage done to their properties through the standard
process and with the standard timelines. Property owners need temporary solutions to
stabilize and level their houses through this emergency and must be able to move forward
with this work as soon as possible.
Adopting the urgency ordinance allows these alternative foundation and housing,solutions
to be continued for an additional ,2-year sunset period, thereby addressing public peace,
health, and safety.
Section 3. California Environmental Quality Act (CE.QA). The City Council finds
that this Urgency Ordinance is proposed to allow th'e City to continue to address and
mitigate an imminent threat to public health and safety and therefore is exempt from
Ordinance No. 700U
Page 4 of 6.
CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines,
Section 15269.
Section 4. The following provisions are added to the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code to include standards and procedures for temporary foundation solutions
and other structural work to protect the integrity of the home,, as included as Attachment
A.
Section 5. The following provisions are added to the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code to include standards and procedures for temporary housing structures to
be installed on the same property as the home that has been deemed uninhabitable, as
included as Attachment B.
Section 6. Sunset Provision. This Ordinance will expire: by operation of law on
December 31, 2028, unless extended by the City Council by a 4/5 vote.
Section 7. Severability. If any provision(s) of this Ordinance or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect any other
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to
be severable. The City Council hereby declares that they would have adopted this
ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections., :subsections,. clauses, phrases,
parts or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 8. Posting. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Ordinance by the. City Council and shall cause this ordinance to be published or posted
in accordance with Government Code section 36933 as required by law.
Section 9. Effective. Date. Pursuant to Government Code section 36937, this
Urgency Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval of the same by a four-
fifths (4/5) affirmative vote of the City Council.
111
Ordinance_No. 700U
Page 5 of 6
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by a 4/5 vote of the entire City Council on
this 4th day of August, 2026.
P I Seo, ayor
ATTEST:
eCJI44-e*eresa aoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO PAL-OS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the. City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that
the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 700U was duly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular
meeting thereof held on August 4, 2026, and that the same was passed and adopted by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bradley, Ferraro, Lewis, Perestam and Mayor Seo
NOES-: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Te^ akaoka, City.Clerk
I
Ordinance No. 700U
Page 6 of 6
ORDINANCE NO.700U
I ATTACHMENT A.
Interim Temporary Foundational Support Systems
Cargo containers, steel beam supports, and other temporary foundational support
measures may be utilized within the Landslide Complex until December 31, 2028,
unless extended by the City Council. All temporary measures must be approved by
the City's Building Official to ensure safety.
Cargo containers as temporary foundational support system.
One or more cargo containers may be used as, a specialized foundation for a
structure located in the areas identified as the Landslide Complex per the local
emergency declaration' as initially -adopted on October 2, 2023 via Resolution No.
2023-47 and extended on multiple occasions at subsequent meetings, but only if
such use has been approved by the building official, pursuant to Section 15.04.060
of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code. The following regulations, shall apply
to all cargo containers utilized as a specialized foundation fora structure during the
local emergency declaration, in addition to the regulations for all temporary
foundational support systems:
A. Cargo containers shall n,ot be used for human habitation.
B. Cargo containers shall not have any factory-built or field-applied plumbing,
heating, or air conditioning systems.
C. Cargo containersshall not be stacked on top of each other.or on any structure.
D. Refuse and/or debris shall not be stored in, against, on, or under the
cargo container.
E. The cargo containers shall be constructed of metal, except for a wood floor
within the metal shell. Structural plans and calculations are not required.
F. The keeping of animals in cargo containers is not permitted at any time.
G. Each cargo container permitted pursuant to this section shall be painted an
earth tone color that is approved by the Director of Community Development.
No cargo container may contain any signs, names, logos, or other markings
painted on, or otherwise attached to:, the exterior of the container, with the
exception of street numbers and address for the property.
H. Any permitted cargo container shall not exceed a height of eight feet and six
inches, a width of eight feet, and a length of 40 feet.
Alternative temporary foundational support system
Steel beam supports and other temporary foundational support measures may be:
utilized.
Ordinance No. 700U
ATTACHMENT A
Page 1 of 2
Regulations for all temporary foundational support systems
The following regulations shall apply to all temporary foundational support systems
fora structure, inclusive of cargo containers, during the local emergency
declaration:
1. Except for temporary construction storage or temporary emergency storage,
a scaled site plan drawn to show the location of all existing buildings, parking
spaces, and the size and location of the proposed temporary foundational
support system be submitted. Additionally, the site plan shall show all slope
locations and steepness percentages on the lot, as well as all slopes adjacent
to the subject site.,
2. Temporary foundational support systems shall not block, obstruct, or reduce in
any manner any required exits, windows, vent shafts, parking spaces, and/or
access driveways or any area designated or used for emergency access. If
these areas are blocked or obstructed, the structure will be deemed as
uninhabitable until such time that the obstruction is removed.
3. Temporary foundational support systems shall not be placed on extreme
slopes (i.e. 35 percent steepness or greater).
4. If the structure is to remain habitable with a temporary foundation support
system, the structure must have adequate and safe ingress/egress, fire
department access, and utility systems including water, sewer, power, heat,
and hot water, as determined acceptable by the City's Building Official.
5. No grading will be allowed beyond 20 cubic yards for the installation of a
temporary foundation support system.
6. An application fora temporary foundation support system must be completed
on the form approved by the Community Development Department, including
providing the City with an executed indemnity and hold harmless agreement
in a form approved by the City Attorney.
7. Any temporary foundation support system approved in accordance with this
urgency ordinance is allowed temporarily and a permit for a permanent
foundation system must be submitted for approval in compliance with the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code no later than December 31, 2028.
I
Ordinance No. 700U
ATTACHMENT A
Page 2 of 2
ORDINANCE- NO. 700U
ATTACHMENT B
Interim Housing and Storage
Cargo containers as temporary emergency storage
Until the expiration of the ordinance, in the event that a structure in any zoning
district becomes uninhabitable due to an involuntary act, which is not the fault of
the property owner or lessee, one or more cargo containers may be used for
temporary storage of household materials until said structure is repaired or
reconstructed, and must be removed or replaced by a permanent permitted
structure no later than December 31, 2028.
The following development standards shall apply to all cargo containers utilized
for temporary emergency storage hereunder:
A. Cargo containers shall not be,used for human habitation.
B. Cargo containers shall not have any factory-built or field applied plumbing,
heating, or air conditioning systems.
C. Cargo containers shall not be stacked on top of each other or on any structure.
D. Cargo containers utilized as temporary emergency storage shall be set back
a minimum five feet from any property line and a minimum ten feet from any
structure.
E. Cargo containers shall not block, obstruct, or reduce in any manner any
required exits, windows,, vent shafts, parking spaces.,, and/or access
driveways or any area designated or used for emergency access.
F. Refuse and/or debris shall not be stored in, against, on, or under the cargo
container.
G. The cargo containers shall be constructed of metal, except for a wood floor
within the metal shell. Structural plans and calculations are not required.
H. The keeping of animals in cargo containers is not permitted at any time.
I. Cargo containers shall not be placed on extreme slopes (i.e.,, 35 percent
steepness or greater).
J. Each cargo container permitted pursuant to this sectionshall be painted an
earth-tone color that is approved by the director of planning, building,, and
code enforcement. No cargo container may contain any names, logos, or
other markings painted on, or otherwise attached to, the exterior of the
container.
K. Any permitted cargo container shall not exceed a height of eight feet and
six inches, a width of eight feet, and a length of 40 feet.
Ordinance No. 70OU
ATTACHMENT B
Page 1 of 3
Temporary Housing Structures
Temporary housing structures are defined as mobile homes, trailers, recreational
vehicles, or other structures which are self-contained units that include sanitary facilities
and the means to properly dispose of waste, and facilities for normal daily routines
including cooking and sleeping. Temporary housing structures DO NOT include any
structure placed upon a permanent foundation, nor do they include tents, yurts, or similar
fabric or textile installations. Temporary, Housing Units may be permitted pursuant to a
Temporary Housing Permit.
The following development standards shall apply to all temporary housing structures
hereunder:
1. A scaled site plan drawn to show the location of all existing buildings, parking
spaces, and the size and location of the proposed temporary housing structure
shall be submitted. Additionally, the site plan shall show all slopes:on the lot, as
well as all slopes adjacent to the subject site, including the steepness of marked
each slope.
2. No more than two (2) temporary housing structures, which together total no
more than 1,200 square feet will be permitted per existing dwelling unit that is
temporarily uninhabitable on a lot/parcel.
3. No grading will be allowed beyond 20 cubic yards for the installation of
temporary housing structures.
4. Temporary housing structures shall not be placed on extreme slopes (i.e., 35
percent steepness or greater).
5. The temporary housing structure must not exceed 16 feet in height.
6. The temporary housing structure must have utility services as follows:
a. Sewage disposal connection to the existing sewer system or a septic
holding tank as approved by the Building and Safety Division.
b. Electrical service and/or solar power supply as approved by the Building
and Safety Division.
c. Water service supplied by the California Water Service or other
adequate water supply as approved by the Building Division.
d. Solar, natural gas, or propane if serving as a power supply to the
temporary housing structure, as approved by the Building and Safety
Division.
7. If a temporary housing structure;blocks, obstructs, or reduces in any manner any
required exits, windows, vent shafts, and/or access driveways or any area.
designated or used for emergency access for the permanent structure, the
permanent structure will be deemed as uninhabitable until such time that the
obstruction is removed.
8. An application for a temporary housing structure must be completed on the form
approved by the Community Development Department.
9. Additional conditions of approval shall provide that owners must:
a. Provide the City with written authorization from the property owner/tenant
allowing the City to terminate all utilities to the temporary structure upon
expiration of the period for which the temporary housing structure is
Ordinance No. 700U
ATTACHMENT B
Page 2 of 3
permitted to remain on the property.
b. Obtain verification from the City that all temporary housing structures have
been removed from the property within 90 days of December 31, 2028.
An extension may be applied for within that 90 day period if the
temporary housing structure will be used during an active building
permit timeframe to restabilize the original structure. Failure to obtain
this verification or an authorized extension shall result in a fine of$100
per day until the verification is obtained.
c. Provide. the City with an executed indemnity and hold harmless
agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
I
Ordinance No. 700U
ATTACHMENT B
Page 3 of 3
SOW
,3
t•ti
��Y
CITY OF
4
\ RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS.ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the City Clerk of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on August 5, 2026, sh'e caused to be posted the following
document entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 700U, AN URGENCY
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES,
CALIFORNIA, EXTENDING REGULATIONS AND
PROCEDURES TO INSTALL TEMPORARY FOUNDATION
MEASURES TO PRESERVE EXISTING STRUCTURES AND
TO AUTHORIZE TEMPORARY HOUSING ON THE SAME
SITE AS AN EXISTING RESIDENCE.WITHIN THE GREATER
PORTUGUESE BEND LANDSLIDE COMPLEX, a copy of
which is attached hereto, in the following locations:'
City Hall Ladera. Linda Community Park
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. 32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct
affidavit of posting.
.,ityClerk