Man’s Fight Over 12-Foot Skeleton Goes Viral
A frightful fight is brewing in Redford Township, where one homeowner is engaged in a battle of wills against the local government. The reason? Officials have recently enacted a new ordinance that will determine how long those 12-foot-tall skeletons from Home Depot are allowed to stay out on your lawn.
A man named Adam Pierson is at the center of this local fight since he owns the “Skelly House.” The 37-year-old told the Detroit Free Press that he purchased the house, which was already a local landmark thanks to the skeletons, in 2024. But instead of taking down the massive holiday decorations, he opted to keep them up in honor of the impact they’ve had on the local community.
However, Pierson says he recently received a letter demanding that he take the skeletons down due to a new ordinance, which prohibits the year-round display. Pierson took his fight to Facebook, posting about what was happening on the Skelly Boy Fan Club page, asking for the community to help.
Now, it seems like many people and businesses in the area are speaking out about the ordinance, arguing about whether it improves the look of the town or simply qualifies as government overreach.
The Homeowner Asked the Community for Help
On Sept. 10, 2026, Pierson took to the 877-member group to ask for help. “Just wanted to post that the city is trying to take skelly down,” he wrote. “If you don’t want to see them go, then make sure to voice your concerns to the Redford Township building department. I’ll be filing with the zone board of appeals as well to keep them up.”
Some people jumped into the comments to defend the decor. “This is definitely a First Amendment issue,” one person wrote, citing the right to artistic display. “I’m an attorney, and I’m telling you your case is super winnable. On top of that, you may be ‘grandfathered’ as a nonconforming use since the display has been there for years.”
“It’s basically Halloween season; that’s silly they are coming for you right now,” another person wrote of the ordinance, which would only allow the skeletons to be placed in the yard for 60 days before Halloween and 60 days after.
Other People Fell on the Township’s Side
While the 37-year-old had a lot of support, including from a local business that the Detroit Free Press says has a sign in the front window that says, “Save the Skelly House,” not everyone wants to see skeletons up all year long.
On another post shared by someone claiming to be Pierson’s ex, a woman argued against the skeletons, writing, “They are up all year round why?”
‘Skelly’ Has Been at the Center of Many Fights
This is hardly the first time a homeowner (or business owner) has gone up against the government over the massive Halloween decor. A Change.org petition was started earlier this year after Mooresville, North Carolina, enforced its own ordinances when it came to Skelly, requiring the people who own Crazy Cool Collectibles to remove its large Skelly from atop its roof, claiming it was a code violation.
However, the owner of the shop maintains that no other businesses with similar non-Skelly decor were targeted. The petition received 610 signatures. As of the time of publication, there was no update on whether the petition worked or if the store ultimately had to remove the decor.
Those who are worried about similar situations unfolding with their own Skelly displays should probably watch how these instances play out, because they could hint at what the future may hold for everyone’s favorite 12-foot skeleton.
