Ohio Man's Zombie Nativity Scene Deemed an Accessory Structure

A man's front yard nativity scene featuring zombies was declared an accessory structure, in violation of the zoning code, because it had a roof

2 minute read

December 16, 2016, 2:00 PM PST

By jwilliams @jwillia22


Nativity Scene

Tony Alter / Flickr

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."

Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Cincinnati Enquirer

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

1 hour ago - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A Valar Atomics building

Trump-backed startup wants 9,000 acres of public land for data center

If approved, developers will build 456 small nuclear reactors on federally-owned land in Utah.

33 seconds ago - NPR

Trump gestured behind a podium. His hands are held close together.

'Fertilization president' to reward areas with high birthrates more transit funding

The Federal Transit Association plans to cover up to 10% more of a transit project's costs if the community’s birth rates meet or exceed national thresholds.

1 hour ago - Politico

Smoke billows out of a power plant.

25 states, cities sue the EPA over erased power plant emissions limits

The coalition also intends to sue the EPA for not regulating emissions from gas-fired power plants.

October 6 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design