The Torrance City Council adopted the Hillside Overlay (1977) to provide development standards, design review criteria, and set limitations for certain hillside and coastal development as a means to preserve, for coastal community homeowners and residents, the features that contribute to making this area so special.
Recently enacted state-wide laws carving out exceptions for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) has generated considerable community interest in maintaining consistent application of the Overlay Ordinance, especially regarding view, privacy, and space requirements. The RHA encourages all who are vested in our community to read and understand the Overlay Ordinance.
Citizen Action Groups for Local Control
RHA supports every resident’s right to civic engagement regarding local control of their communities. Below are links to organizations that are working to strengthen local control.
Our Neighborhood Voices
Grass-roots coalition of neighborhood leaders that work to enact residential control of neighborhood development and other issues through ballot measures.
California Cities for Local Control
Advocacy group for local control over zoning and land use decisions.
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Provides a leadership forum for South Bay local governments to act collaboratively and advocates for regional issues with a focus on improving transportation and the environment, and strengthening economic development.
California Alliance of Local Electeds
Network of mayors, councilmembers and other elected officials who advocate (at the State level) for the betterment of California cities through forward-thinking legislation and preservation of local control efforts.
This tri-fold brochure briefly summarizes the original main provisions of the Hillside Overlay.
Riviera Homeowners Association 