CA's Fred Flintstone Home Allowed To Stay After Lawsuit Settled

HILLSBOROUGH, CA — A unique property littered with life-sized dinosaurs and giant mushrooms beside a colorful dome house in Hillsborough has often been referred to as the "Flinstone House" over the years — there's even a scaled sculpture of Fred himself in the yard. Others called it an "eyesore," prompting the town to sue the home's owner.

Last week, homeowner and retired publishing mogul Florence Fang finally settled a lawsuit with the town of Hillsborough. Their agreement will allow Fred and the yabba dabba, 1960s themed residence to stay put.

The town sued Fang, alleging that she violated local codes by placing giant sculptures around her property. Residents are required to get a permit before installing sculptures of that size, according to an attorney for the town.

The case of the Flinstone home was brought to court in 2019 after the town asked Fang to comply with multiple stop-work orders and an order to remove the sculptures. But Fang defended her home and countersued, The Daily Post in Palo Alto reported.

"The parties have reached an amicable resolution of the case to the satisfaction of all the parties, such that the improvements made to the Flintstone House will be permitted to remain," the lawsuit details, according to the newspaper.

Under the new agreement, Fang will apply for the required building permits and the town will review a survey of landscaping improvements. Hillsborough will also have to pay Fang $125,000 in order for her to drop the lawsuit, which was dismissed in a California court in April.

The experimental property, which consists of purple and red domes, was designed by William Nicholson in 1976. Fang bought the home in 2017 for $2.8 million, the Mercury News reported. But the trouble arose when Fang began to install the replica dinosaurs and statues of Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble and other friends from the classic cartoon.

Local leaders previously called the home a "highly visible eyesore" and declared it a public nuisance.

Previously, Mark Hudak, an attorney for Hillsborough, said the town prides itself on its rural, woodsy feel, and rules are in place "so neighbors don’t have to look at your version of what you would like to have, and you don’t have to look at theirs."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.