Ohio Man's Zombie Nativity Scene Deemed an Accessory Structure

A man in Sycamore Township, Ohio received a zoning violation on December 3 for his front yard nativity scene, which featured zombies (ed. - not pictured above). The man was cited because the display had a roof, which classifies the structure as an accessory structure. In response to the notice of violation, the man removed the roof on December 4, however some in the community feel that homeowner Jasen Dixon was targeted due to his use of zombies.

Some social media comments have accused the trustees of being anti-zombie. The trustees have said the reason Dixon’s Nativity scene fell under scrutiny is not because of the zombies, but because of the zoning violations presented by the accessory structure.

Dixon first presented his zombie Nativity scene last December and received notification from the township for two zoning violations – one for the accessory structure in which the zombie Nativity figures were displayed and the second for debris in front of the garage.

Sheila Vilvens of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the owner is still required to appear before a judge on December 22nd for the one day violation.

In an update to the original story, Cincinnati.com reports that vandals targeted the zombie nativity scene on December 7. "They ripped Mary's head off and flipped over baby Jesus' bed. We found him out in the yard," [home owner Jasen Dixon] said. "(They) knocked over one of the wise men and broke Joseph."