About Garment Manufacturing Facilities

The manufacture of garments is an important part of society with economic, environmental, and other impacts. Manufacturing garments and apparel can involve cutting fabric, sewing, and finishing the garments so they are ready to be worn. All garment businesses must follow rules to protect the environment and the health and safety of workers.

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The Garment Inspection Program permits and inspects garment manufacturing businesses for sanitation and worker health and safety requirements. The requirements are in place to control the possible spread of infectious disease and to ensure adequate safety protections for workers. The program also responds to reports of problems at garment manufacturing and commercial laundry facilities and conducts routine inspections.

The Garment Inspection Program permits and inspects all garment manufacturing businesses in Los Angeles County, except for those located in the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena, or Vernon. Those cities each have their own health departments. contact the local health department.

To operate a garment manufacturing business in any part of Los Angeles County other than the cities of Long Beach, Vernon, and Pasadena, you must have a license from Environmental Health and a State Certificate of Registration.

Sanitation and Licensing Requirements

Garment manufacturing establishments are required to obtain a public health license and comply with Los Angeles County Code Titles 8 and 11. These requirements protect the health and safety of workers and limit the potential for infectious disease to spread. Sanitation requirements include the need to have clean restrooms and drinking water for workers.

To apply for a Public Health License, a garment manufacturing business must complete the Application and provide the required documentation as described on the application form. Turn in the application and documentation to the Environmental Health Office at 5050 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, CA 91706.

If a licensed garment manufacturer makes changes to its business name, mailing address, or CEO/CFO, then a form to amend or update the License is required. When a licensed manufacturer closes, it should submit a delete/close license form.

License Waiver Requirement for Garment Industry Businesses That Are Not Manufacturing

The State of California Department of Industrial Relations requires all garment industry businesses to submit a Public Health License as part of the registration process. However, garment industry businesses that do not manufacture garments do not require a Public Health License. These include:

  • wholesale and/or retail
  • warehousing
  • design
  • show room
  • knitting fabric
  • garment broker
  • labor broker
  • office activities

Environmental Health can conduct a site evaluation to confirm if a garment industry business does not require a public health license and provide a notice to the State of California Department of Industrial Relations.

  • To request a site evaluation please complete the Public Health License Waiver Request Application and pay the fee. Please note, the fee is not refundable and the waiver is not transferable. Each request for a public health license waiver will require a new application and fee.
  • If any activities are found that would require a public health license, a public health license waiver will not be provided, and you will be directed to cease operations until a public health license is issued.

Applications and Forms

Garment manufacturing establishment

Any place, building or structure, room or portion thereof, where apparel, garments and accessories are cut, sewed, assembled, embroidered, silk screened, or otherwise made, decorated, or finished, from fabrics and similar materials. This includes suits, coats, work clothing, and other furnishings; outerwear and undergarments; hats, caps and millinery; fur goods; miscellaneous apparel and accessories.

Garment manufacturing establishment includes any place, building or structure, room or portion thereof, where graders, pattern makers, and sample makers of fabrics and similar materials are located.

Garment Manufacturing Complexes

Garment manufacturing complexes are buildings that house two or more garment manufacturing businesses. These buildings are inspected for compliance with general sanitation, maintenance, vermin exclusion, and building access requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, inspection of restroom facilities, hallways, stairways, waste collection, and exit ways.

Report a Problem

Workers and the public can report problems at garment manufacturing facilities by calling Environmental Health at (800) 777-9995 or file a complaint online. Environmental Health will not ask you about your immigration status and you can file a report without giving your name.

You can report to Environmental Health if your garment industry workplace does not:

For help with other employment issues, such as fair wages, breaks, and more, contact the California Labor Commissioner at 320 W. 4th Street, Suite 450, Los Angeles 90013 or call (213) 620-6330. You will not be asked about your immigration status and interpreters are available to help you.

Contact Us

Monday - Friday
8:00am - 5:00pm

Tel: (626) 430-5570
Fax: (626) 962-1805
Email: communityhealth@ph.lacounty.gov

County of Los Angeles Public Health
Environmental Health
Community Health Program
5050 Commerce Drive
Baldwin Park, CA 91706