City of Los Angeles to tear down Treehouse of Horror

Los Angeles's government can't tolerate the creativity of Simpsons producer Rick Polizzi, founder of L.A.'s most legendary Halloween display.

The suburban San Fernando Valley is an especially good place for kids to go trick or treating on Halloween because there are a lot of homeowners with kids who get into helping them celebrate Halloween and who happen to be ridiculously talented. (The Valley is where Hollywood people who care more about their kids than about being cool live.)

The first Valley resident I can remember who was famous for giving out extra-fun stuff on Halloween was the Squire of Toluca Lake, Bob Hope (1903-2003).

In the early 21st Century, the Valley became rife with homeowners who worked in the entertainment industry filling their front yards with extraordinary decorations.

In my experience, the most brilliant Halloween installation is Boney Island, which in the early 2000s filled up the Sherman Oaks front yard of a golden age Simpsons’ animation producer named Rick Polizzi, winner of three Emmys. (Like most parts of the city of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks, CA has its own mailing address, but it is under the thumb of the L.A. municipal government.)

Boney Island was like if Coney Island in 1950 were inhabited by scores of animatronic skeletons whose wisecracks were crafted by Simpsons’ writers. Boney Island was an insanely great free thing to stumble upon in your neighbor’s front yard while chaperoning your kids trick or treating.

Eventually, the crowds showing up each year for Boney Island overwhelmed the quiet suburban neighborhood. So, Polizzi moved it, first to Griffith Park and lately to the Natural History Museum next to the Coliseum.

The origins of Boney Island started in 2000 when Polizzi’s daughters asked for a treehouse.

So, he built his kids a treehouse in their front yard modeled on The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horror displayed in the annual Halloween episode. Here’s my favorite segment from 1996:

Once Dad got started on Halloweenizing the front yard, though, he kind of got carried away and launched Boney Island.

You might think that the city of Los Angeles would give Civic Benefactor Polizzi a parade.

But instead they are out to get him and tear down his landmark treehouse. Apparently, although it’s been many years since the display was relocated to public property, the Legend of Boney Island is enduring enough that people still show up on Halloween at Polizzi’s house, hoping to see Boney Island and stand around gawking at his treehouse, which drives some of his neighbors crazy.

From the Daily Mail:

Petty LA council orders Simpsons producer to tear down incredible treehouse inspired by show

By EMMA RICHTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 14:05 EDT, 26 February 2025

An iconic California treehouse inspired by the Simpsons is set to be demolished following a seven-year legal battle between the city and its owner.

Rick Polizzi, a former producer of the sitcom, built the structure 24 years ago on the lawn of his Sherman Oaks home.

It quickly became a staple in the community, but complaints from disgruntled neighbors soon landed him in a slew of legal troubles.

Neighbors complained to the city of LA the home drew too much attention as people from all over come to see the treehouse, especially during Halloween.

The structure was inspired by the Simpsons annual series Treehouse of Horror, and soon became a real life experience that residents have cherished for many years at the Boney Island Halloween attraction.

Polizzi has shelled out about $40,000 to help protect the structure from being taken down, as the city of Los Angeles has demanded that he get a permit for the treehouse - something he's been trying to do.

'They say I don't have the right permit for it, but I've been trying to make the treehouse legal forever. The city's just not having it,' Polizzi told KTLA5.

After attending a pre-trial hearing last month, Polizzi made the heartbreaking decision to let the city win and tear the treehouse down. …

The three-time Emmy winning producer was granted zoning administration approval for his treehouse in December 2023, but has not yet obtained a permit. …

Although the structure is a 110-square-foot treehouse, LADBS requires him to follow guidelines for a single-family dwelling, he said.

'They are also requiring architectural & structural plans, geological reports, etc. which could cost us another $30K to $40K,' he wrote.

I can provide a free geological report: “Yeah, when The Big One knocks down Los Angeles, his treehouse will, indeed, probably fall out of his tree and put a big divot in his lawn.”

Along with the slew of legal costs, the treehouse debacle has also led to criminal charges, complicating matters further.

In light of the devastating news, Polizzi's family decided to throw a going away party for the treehouse on Saturday.

His daughters reflected on their time in the treehouse that they often played in as children.

'The second floor was like the girl's room, so we would come up here and have tea parties and play with our dolls,' one of his daughter's, Bryce Polizzi, told CBS News. …

'This is a town built on creativity. It embraces it. It just seems like you would want to keep things like this up,' he added.