Video: Tree house defeat

FARMINGTON, Mich. (WDIV) - A 13-year-old Farmington, Michigan boy isn't giving up his fight with city hall.

David Ratze went before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals Wednesday night in an effort to save his tree house.

The city said David's tree house, which stands about 26 feet tall, is too tall and breaks a city ordinance that says structures cannot exceed 15 feet.

"My swim team and I spent nine weeks working on my tree house," Ratze said Wednesday night. "We did not have many choices when choosing a place for my tree house."

After listening to the boy's appeal for nearly two hours, the Board held firm in its denial.

"If something was to happen, somebody falls, lawsuits emerge," said Paul Buyers, of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

It is a defeat for Ratze, but his fight may not be over.

"We're extremely disappointed," said the boy's father, David Ratze Sr. "We're going to take it across appropriate channels as best we can."