A Florida city slapped a family with code violations for its outdoor Christmas display with more than 180,000 lights -- and one large banner.

ADVERTISEMENT

It isn't the huge light display -- which cost more than $2,000 a month to power -- it's the 8-foot by 2-foot banner on Kathy and Mark Hyatt's property that has drawn the ire of Plantation city officials. They say it is too large and constitutes an advertisement because the Web address it contains, http://www.hyattextremechristmas.com, leads to a site with links to Kathy Hyatt's real estate company, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Tuesday.

However, the Hyatts said the banner is necessary because it gives the hours of their display, which includes more than 180,000 lights, a 20-foot Ferris wheel for stuffed animals, a 30-foot Christmas tree and a nativity scene.

The city has threatened a $25 fine if the banner is not taken down by Monday, with the fine doubling for every day the couple refuse to comply.

"I'll fight it in court if I have to," Mark Hyatt said. "The mayor has the ability to make an exception to this. She comes here herself with her grandkids, and so has the former mayor. They have always supported us."