A popular Halloween display in Raleigh’s historic Oakwood neighborhood is at the center of a dispute over city permitting requirements, with homeowner Jesse Jones warning that thousands of dollars in additional expenses could jeopardize a tradition that attracts visitors from across the country and abroad.

Jones has spent years building and maintaining an elaborate Halloween display at his home. In previous years, he said, he paid out of pocket for off-duty police officers and street closures to help manage crowds. This year, however, the city is requiring him to obtain a special events permit because nearby streets are closed during the Halloween festivities.

Jones estimates that meeting the new requirements could cost more than $6,000, including expenses for street closures and barricades.

“So now with this special event, I would predict the cost would be around $6,000 some dollars to close the street, and I have to get the barricades I have to put out in front of the roadblocks,” Jones said. “So it’s almost like, why even do it?”

The homeowner brought his concerns to a recent Raleigh City Council meeting, arguing that his annual Halloween display should not be treated as a special event requiring additional permitting. He asked city leaders to find a way to address safety concerns without imposing the added financial burden.

Jones also criticized what he described as unnecessary bureaucracy, arguing that the issue should have been resolved through direct communication with city officials.

“People don’t trust our government because of this type of bureaucracy. This should be something that should have been fixed with the phone call,” he told ABC-11.

The display has become a draw for Halloween enthusiasts, with Jones saying visitors have traveled from as far away as China and Dublin, Ireland, to see the decorations. Neighbors also reported that people were already visiting the attraction in the weeks leading up to Halloween.

The dispute highlights the challenge of balancing public safety and crowd management with the costs imposed on residents who organize popular neighborhood attractions. Jones has said he is seeking a solution from city officials, but the additional permitting expenses have raised questions about whether he can continue the display under the new requirements.