How scary is too scary? Keep your Halloween decor the right amount of spooky.

Key Insights

• Halloween decorations can be a lot of fun, but make sure you compromise with your neighbors and know your local rules before going all out.
• Keep safety at the forefront of your decor plans.
• If you’re planning on selling, stay family-friendly and understated for optimal appeal.

Halloween can have a lot of fun interpretations. Some people enjoy cute cartoon ghosts and loveable jack-o-lanterns; others walk on the spookier side with sinister skeletons and monsters galore; and then there’s the group that prefers the gore and guts of the haunting season.

Regardless of your Halloween aesthetic, it can be easy to overdo it on the cute and creepy decor. And if you are a person who goes for the jump-scare, that overzealous attitude could land you in some hot water with neighbors, passersby and even the authorities. So, how scary is too scary? And if it’s on your property, does anyone have the right to tell you to dial it back?

Spooky, or scary?

Some people really enjoy setting up the perfect haunted house. Last year, it was estimated that $3.9 billion would be spent on Halloween decorations alone. Some enthusiasts spend months planning and prepping, so it’s no surprise that with so much time, money and pride in the projects, criticism and complaints don’t go over well.

But before you start a neighborhood brawl, take a step back and put things in perspective: if your decorations are upsetting kids as they walk by, causing neighbors to relive painful memories of loved ones passing, keeping people awake at night or forcing the authorities to swing by to make sure everything is on the up and up, is it worth it?

If the answer is yes, consider a compromise. Maybe keep the more life-like items in the back and out of street view for consenting visitors to experience at their own risk, or turn off the fake blood fountain when the school bus is making its rounds.

Your house, your rules—mostly

There are really only a few sectors that can force you to take down your outdoor decor or decor that can be seen from the street (think windows, doors, etc.): your landlord (if you have one), your homeowner’s association (HOA) and your municipality. All three should have guidelines and ordinances for you to review so you can ensure your efforts don’t go to waste. Some things to look for:

• When can you put up decorations, and when do you have to take them down?
• Are there any light and/or sound rules in place?
• Do you need to acquire any permits for special effects or work?

If your props cause concerned citizens to call emergency services, be prepared to pay a fine or get a citation.

Make your house scary safe

Your biggest concern should always be safety, regardless of your decor aesthetic. Remember: you could be liable for any accidents and injuries caused on your property or because of your decor. Consider the risks that could be involved with your decorations, including:

• Visibility issues: Flashing lights or poor lighting can set the mood, but could also set you up for trips and falls. Make sure that nothing obscures walkways and public access points like sidewalks and streets. Think about how your special lighting and effects like fog machines and moveable props like haybales and billowing capes could get blown off course by a gust of wind and end up causing an accident.
• Tripping hazards: Pumpkin guts might make for great gore, but they are also extremely slippery and could cause guests to fall and potentially injure themselves. All walkways should be free of obstacles, easily navigated and well-lit to provide safe access to your property.
• Dangerous materials: It should go without saying that using a real chainsaw for your Chainsaw Massacre-themed yard is a bad idea when you have kids coming to your door. You should also consider how your other materials might pose a danger. Check that your fake blood won’t cause your neighbor’s dog to get sick if they take a lick or cause sewer drains any issues.

If you’re selling, skip the skeletons

Just like your home’s interior, buyers are looking for blank slates that have just enough staging to spark their imagination. That doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun, but tone it down and keep it family-friendly.

• Focus on fall over Halloween. Not only will this help the longevity of your decorations, it will ensure no one’s sensibilities are offended.
• No gore, blood, guts, or cobwebs. Stay far away from anything that could stain, cause property damage or make your home look less than pristine.
• Quality over quantity. Consider putting out just a few high-end decorations rather than a plethora of items that have seen better days.
• Check your produce. Rotting gourds and moldy cornstalks don’t impress anyone. Toss them once they start looking past their prime (even if you think you could still get a few more days out of them).
• Talk to your neighbors. While they are not obligated to help you, they might consider stowing some of their bloody designs during showings or turning off their special effects for a few hours so potential buyers can focus on your property.

Still not sure how to handle your Halloween decor? Reach out and talk to one of our home experts.