An Ohio man was ordered to remove his "zombie nativity" display by the day after Christmas, but refused.

Jasen Dixon of Sycamore Township decided to fight the city's edict, claiming that his First Amendment rights are being violated.

The display features zombie statues dressed as Mary, Joseph, and the Three Wise Men, and there is even a zombie baby in a manger.

While the unique scene drew onlookers who took photographs and videos, it also drew at least two complaints.

Sycamore Township Administration Office representative Greg Bickford reported that two people anonymously reported the zombie Christmas scene, and an inspector was sent to the home.

Several zoning violations were cited, including the presence of several doors and windows in the driveway, and the nativity scene that took up more than 35 per cent of the front yard.

Dixon faced a $1,000 fine if he did not take the display down December 26 at noon, but decided to fight the order.

"I've lived here for 15 years and I've never had a violation of any kind," he said. "It's a holiday decoration. I know if it was a real pretty Nativity scene they wouldn't be saying anything."

Dixon created a Facebook page and crowdfunding account to gain funds and support for his protest. His goal is to "make a better zombie nativity scene for everyone to see next year and [raise] funds to pay the township citations for having the structure."

Dixon's fianceé, Amanda Baker, said she was raised Catholic and recognises the religious significance of the Nativity. She also insisted that the display was not meant to offend anyone's religion or make a statement about Satanism.

"We've heard stuff like that," she said. "This isn't something about, like, we're not devil worshippers."

It is unclear whether the multiple doors and windows have been removed from Dixon's driveway. Sycamore Township did not respond to requests for comment.