A ‘Simpsons’ Producer’s Real-Life ‘Treehouse of Horror’ Is the Subject of a Civic Controversy

While they have yet to inspire any Neverending Story-esque lawsuits, most of The Simpsons’ annual “Treehouse of Horror” episodes don’t feature any actual treehouses. In fact, only the very first “Treehouse of Horror” took place in Bart’s backyard fort.

Still, the titular treehouse clearly had a big impact on former Simpsons animation producer Rick Polizzi. With the help of longtime Simpsons producer Michael G. Mahan, Polizzi built his own version of a spooky treehouse outside of his Sherman Oaks home after being “inspired” by the show. 

The multi-story structure, dubbed “Boney Island,” is clearly a lot more sophisticated than its Springfieldian counterpart. It was originally used to entertain Polizzi’s daughters, and later thrilled locals during every Halloween season, when it was filled with animatronic skeletons and other elaborate decorations.

But a neighbor complained to the city, forcing Polizzi to relocate the annual Halloween show. Then the city deemed the structure to be unsafe. According to Polizzi, he spent $40,000 on modifications to bring the treehouse up to code, but it wasn’t good enough for city inspectors. Worse still, he was eventually hit with a “criminal charge of noncompliance” after refusing to tear down the treehouse. 

Despite having the support of locals, more than 6,000 of whom have signed a petition in support of the treehouse, Polizzi is now fed up with going to court, and has decided to just tear it all down after all. “It’s just a shame that, (in) a city built based on creativity, the city attorney has nothing better to fight than a treehouse, and it’s just a shame. I was just hoping more common sense would prevail,” Polizzi told KYMA News.

“We’ve just had catastrophic fires, people are displaced, there’s nowhere for anyone to live, and we’re worried about a treehouse?!” neighbor Christine Moore argued.

Polizzi is holding a goodbye party for the treehouse this coming Saturday, unless the city somehow has a change of heart. “I’m hoping for a miracle, maybe, in the next few days — I’m not counting on it,” he confessed.

Oddly enough, Bart Simpson’s treehouse also landed him in hot water with city officials in recent years. In the Season 27 episode “Simprovised,” Marge volunteers to build Bart a new and improved treehouse, only to discover that their house is in the “treehouse preservation district.” But, despite not having any construction permits, she’s allowed to finish the job.

Since he’s already pissed off the local government and has to tear the treehouse down anyways, perhaps Polizzi should take a cue from Bart and turn the treehouse into a casino for its final days.