LA Orders Demolition of Beloved 'Simpsons'-Inspired Treehouse After Seven-Year Battle

Famous TV Show-Inspired Structure Faces Demolition

A unique California treehouse based on The Simpsons will soon be demolished following a seven-year legal struggle between the city and its owner.

Rick Polizzi, who worked as a producer on the famous cartoon, built this structure 24 years ago in the yard of his Sherman Oaks home.

It quickly became a neighborhood favorite, but issues started when some neighbors filed complaints about it.

People living nearby told LA officials the home attracted too much attention as visitors came to see the treehouse, particularly during Halloween.

The structure drew inspiration from the Simpsons' annual "Treehouse of Horror" episodes, and grew into a real-life experience that residents enjoyed for many years at the Boney Island Halloween display.

The City's Demands

Polizzi has spent about $40,000 trying to protect his creation from being taken down.

The city of Los Angeles requires that he get a permit for the treehouse—something he says he's been attempting to do without success.

"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 going for it," Polizzi told KTLA5.

After going to a pre-trial hearing last month, Polizzi made the sad decision to let the city win and remove the treehouse.

Strict Rules Create Barriers

"It was just so frustrating. We did not get to have our say. When we left, I just said, 'I'm not going back to this trial. We'll tear it down so that the case gets dismissed,'" he said.

The Emmy-winning producer received zoning administration approval for his treehouse in December 2023, but still hasn't gotten a building permit.

"The LA Dept. of Building & Safety (LADBS) is making it nearly impossible to obtain the required building permit to keep the structure in place," he wrote on Facebook.

Even though the structure is just a 110-square-foot treehouse, LADBS wants him to follow guidelines for a single-family house.

They demand:

• Architectural & structural plans
• Geological reports
• Other documents that could cost an extra $30K to $40K

On top of the legal costs, the situation has led to criminal charges, making things even more difficult.

Community Support Grows

With this sad news, Polizzi's family threw a goodbye party for the treehouse last Saturday.

His daughters talked about their childhood memories in the treehouse.

"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 daughter, Bryce Polizzi, told CBS News.

Famous actors who live in Sherman Oaks have tried to help Polizzi win his fight.

Christina Moore, an actress from That '70s Show, said the treehouse benefits the community, especially after the recent wildfires.

"We've just had catastrophic fires, people are out displaced, there's nowhere for anyone to live, and we're worried about a treehouse?" Moore said.

Another actress, Missi Pyle from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, posted on Instagram Sunday, tagging LA City councilmember Nithya Raman: "REALLY? In all of the deep sadness we have felt in the city plagued by fires and fear. You can't let this beautiful [structure], which brings SO MANY PEOPLE INSANE AMOUNTS OF JOY stay?"

Last Chance for Survival?

As of Tuesday, the structure still stood, and according to Polizzi, a local city councilmember recently contacted him saying they are considering saving the treehouse.

This sounds promising, but Polizzi told KTLA5 he isn't too hopeful.

"They said the same thing to me last year, and nothing came of it," he said.

For now, he hopes city officials can see how important and special the treehouse is—not just to him and his family, but to everyone.

"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.