L.A. Clarifies "Home Occupations Ordinance"
Some free-press and free-expression advocates remain concerned over
restrictions set by Los Angeles' new Home Occupations Ordinance,
even though the city attorney now says that certain writers and
artists will be exempted from registering.
While writers and artists who work at home must still pay a business
tax, the $25 registration fee will be waived for those who don't
have an excessive number of visitors or deliveries.
In a letter to city council members, City Attorney James Hahn noted:
"As with other home businesses, the work done in the home by writers
and artists which creates none of the [neighborhood] impacts will
be considered an accessory use.  For example, the writer who works
on a personal computer, does not employ anyone in the home, but uses
occasional mail services, will not be a home occupation and need not
register."
Gary Bostwick, an attorney representing the Writers Guild of
America, told The Daily News: "It's nice to finally see some clarity
on how the law will be applied, and we agree with that portion."  He
said further review of Hahn's letter would be necessary to determine
its impact on the Guild's lawsuit.
In their decision to draft the original ordinance, city officials
cited a need to legitimize and regulate home businesses.  On the day
the measure took effect, the Writers Guild filed a suit charging the
ordinance was an unconstitutional infringement on First Amendment
rights.
Joined in its legal battle by the American Civil Liberties Union,
the Independent Writers of Southern California, the American Society
of Journalists and Authors, the National Writers Union, the Graphic
Artists Union, the National Cartoonists Society and Poets, Essayists
and Novelists (PEN), the WGA predicts the law's enforcement will
spur an exodus of writers from Los Angeles.
For the latest information concerning the status of the ordinance,
call the Guild's hotline at 213/782-4560.
A procrastinator's work is never done
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