State Cites Costumer on Labor Violation

The owner of a North Hollywood costume-making business who recently received a temporary permit from the city of Los Angeles to operate out of her home was cited Thursday for a violation of state labor laws.

Labor Commission inspectors cited Judy Corbett, owner of J & M Costumers Inc., for manufacturing apparel out of her home--a violation that would normally result in the confiscation of her fabric and other materials.

However, Deputy Commissioner Jose Millan said his inspectors have given Corbett 60 days to close the business or move it to a commercial building. If she refuses, the commission will confiscate her material, Millan said.

But Corbett said she will fight the citation, just as she fought a city zoning law that prohibits home businesses in residential areas. She also questioned whether her costumes can be considered apparel.

“Is a Snoopy costume a garment?” she asked. “Is a lobster costume a garment?”

Corbett and a staff of four part-time workers created costumes for the entertainment industry for eight years before the city tried to close her down. She appealed last week to a city zoning appeals board and won a two-year exemption from the zoning rules. After the hearing, Corbett vowed to campaign for a change in city laws that prohibit businesses like hers.

Millan said his inspectors learned about Corbett’s operations from a story in The Times this week about the thousands of home-based businesses that operate in violation of city zoning laws. Corbett was featured prominently in that story.

But Millan said his agency was not trying to single out Corbett. He said the Labor Commission currently is targeting home-based apparel shops because they have an unfair labor advantage over other apparel businesses.

“We are not out to be the Gestapo,” Millan said. “But we have an industry in crisis.”

Millan also disputed Corbett’s contention that her costumes cannot be considered apparel. If it can be worn, it can be considered apparel, he said.

Although many cities in Southern California have laws that permit home-based businesses--including Torrance, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach--Millan said state labor law prohibits some businesses from operating out of homes, such as gun, fireworks and apparel manufacturing.