Town Tries to Block Homeowner’s Epic Halloween Display

Something wicked this way… goes? If Traverse City officials have their way, that’s exactly what will happen to Nate Taylor’s annual Halloween display. Taylor spoke with local ABC News affiliate UpNorthLive about the issue, saying that the town is trying to block the start of the massive display that the homeowner calls a gift to the community.

Taylor says he has been transforming his yard into a haunted vision since 2018 as a way to give something back to the community. “This is something that my family and myself produces as a gift to the community,” he told the outlet about the display. “We don’t ask for anything; we just want you to come and enjoy this.”

But Traverse City officials aren’t exactly sure that Taylor is keeping his word, and they think that the display constitutes an unpermitted use of the property. Officials also claim that Taylor’s neighbors have complained, which is why they reached out to him after he had already been doing this for nearly 8 years.

Taylor says he won’t be scared out of his tradition, though, and he plans to continue to set up this year’s display in the hope that he can prove just how much the community loves what he puts together for them. 

The City Sent a Letter About the Display in August

According to the outlet, Taylor didn’t become aware of the issue until he received a letter about his “Dead Ends on Spruce” display. The letter claimed that concerns were raised by residents, prompting the city to look into possible zoning issues. 

And while the letter says that the city permits residents to decorate for the holidays, it questions whether there are potential public safety, traffic, odor, noise, and lighting concerns that could impact the neighbors. That’s because the display is expected to bring between 18,000 and 21,000 people into the residential neighborhood. 

But Taylor argues that the real issue is that the city thinks he’s making money off the display. “Basically, it’s come down to the fact that for some reason the city government believes that we are a business for profit,” he said to the outlet. “It’s been a complete donation from us to the community, and it has always remained that way.”

Halloween Decorations Have Been in the News a Lot Lately

It seems like local municipalities have been cracking down on people’s holiday displays this year, especially when it comes to larger-than-life decorations (like everyone’s favorite 12-foot-tall skeleton, Skelly). But according to a quick internet search, some municipalities do require permits and special permissions to put on big displays or host haunted houses.

And according to AmRisk Insurance Services, homeowners may actually need more than just the okay from their local government. The website says that some homeowners may even need to make sure they have liability insurance to cover their haunted house attraction, especially if they are going to provide additional activities or provisions like food, strobe lights, or actors.