A Resident's Guide to Flint's Local Ordinances

Flint, Michigan may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 100 tracked ordinances across 29 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Aircraft Noise: Bishop International Airport (FNT/KFNT) sits in southwestern Flint (3425 W Bristol Rd), surrounded by Flint Township and Mundy Township, and is run by the Bishop International Airport Authority - a joint Genesee County / City of Flint authority formed in 1987. Flint Code Section 31-77(e) exempts aircraft and trains from Article II, and 49 U.S.C.

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Flint for details.

Public Conduct

Loud Party Ordinance: Loud parties in Flint are reached by Chapter 31 Article II (noise), Section 31-12 of the City Code (Disorderly Conduct and Disorderly Persons), and MCL 750.167 (the Michigan disorderly persons statute). Penalties stack: the local Section 31-78 noise fine (up to $1,500 / 90 days), the Section 31-12 disorderly conduct violation, and state-court charges under MCL 750.167..

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Flint for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Commercial door-to-door solicitors and peddlers in Flint must obtain a business license from the Flint City Clerk Licensing Division (810-766-7416). Applications are filed in person at the Licensing Division and are subject to background review.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Flint enforces blight through Chapter 31, Article III of the Flint Code of Ordinances (Blight Violations), enacted under the Michigan Home Rule City Act (MCL 117.4l and 117.4q). Section 31-81 designates specific Flint Code provisions (including §§ 30-3, 30-7, 30-8, 30-9, 30-11, 30-12, 30-13, 30-15, 30-30.1, 39-1, 39-5, 39-7, 39-9, 39-10, 39-32, 39-43 and 39-43.1, plus §§ 11-1 and 24-1 where they relate to exterior building condition or property maintenance) as 'blight violations' adjudicated as civil infractions by the City's Administrative Hearings Bureau (the 'Blight Court').

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (strict), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Flint for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Flint Code Section 39-1 (Illegal Dumping) makes it unlawful to dump, deposit, drop, or leave any rubbish, refuse, compost, garbage, construction waste, auto bodies, tires, or parts on any property in the City unless it is a properly licensed dumping site or the actor holds a proper permit. The statute declares illegal dumping a public nuisance, makes a violation a misdemeanor subject to up to 90 days in jail and a $250-$500 fine plus restitution for cleanup and natural-resource damage, and authorizes administrative seizure, impoundment, and forfeiture of motor vehicles used to facilitate the activity (with a 30-day notice-of-seizure contest window).

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Flint for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drones in Flint are regulated primarily by federal law and Michigan's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act. The FAA requires registration for drones over 0.55 lb, the TRUST test, and flight under 49 U.S.C.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Short-term rental operators in Flint must collect the Michigan 6% Use Tax on accommodations under MCL 205.93a (administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury) and the Genesee County accommodations excise tax authorized by the Hotel-Motel Tax Act, MCL 141.861 et seq. (currently 5% in Genesee County).

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Flint for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Hotels and other transient lodging in Flint must collect the Genesee County accommodations excise tax authorized by the Michigan Hotel-Motel Tax Act, MCL 141.861 et seq. (currently 5% in Genesee County, administered by the County Treasurer).

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: Flint tobacco retailers are licensed primarily at the state and federal level. Federal Tobacco 21 (21 USC 387f) raised the minimum legal sales age to 21 for all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vapes, controlling notwithstanding Michigan's Youth Tobacco Act (MCL 722.641-722.645, including MCL 722.675).

Also covered: Secondhand Dealers (strict). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Flint for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food truck operators in Flint need a Mobile Food Establishment license from the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) issued under Michigan's Food Law (Public Act 92 of 2000, MCL 289.1101 et seq.), a Flint city business license, a current food-safety certification for the person in charge, and zoning compliance for each operating location. GCHD inspectors conduct routine and complaint inspections; Flint Police and Code Enforcement can shut down a truck that lacks any prerequisite..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Flint for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Flint requires every residential rental unit to be registered and certified through the Department of Building, Safety, Inspections and Licensing. Certification is paired with periodic inspection against the International Property Maintenance Code, including post-water-crisis lead service-line checks..

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Flint for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Flint's City Code imposes a juvenile curfew on minors in public places, generally from about 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Flint's sign chapter regulates political signs through content-neutral size, height, and placement rules after Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) barred content-based sign restrictions.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Flint regulates consumer fireworks under the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act (MCL 28.451 et seq., as amended by PA 257 of 2018), which preempts a full local ban but lets cities restrict use to the day before, day of, and day after national holidays. Fireworks may be ignited from 11:00 a.m.

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Flint for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Lead-paint regulation in Flint combines federal EPA RRP rules, the Michigan Lead Abatement Act (PA 219 of 1979) administered by LARA, and city programs born of the 2014-2015 Flint Water Crisis. Most Flint housing predates the 1978 federal ban on residential lead paint, so disclosure, RRP-certified renovation, and abatement licensure are critical, alongside the city Lead Service Line Replacement program targeting lead pipes..

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (moderate), Pest Control (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Flint for details.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Renovation permits in Flint are issued by the Department of Planning and Development under the Michigan Building Code (MBC) and Michigan Residential Code (MRC), adopted under PA 230 of 1972. Most structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work requires a permit and licensed-contractor sign-off.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Flint Chapter 50 (Zoning) prohibits any commercial vehicle from being located on a residentially-zoned property unless parked or stored within a completely enclosed building, with a narrow exception that one commercial vehicle of 3/4 ton size or smaller may be parked in a residential driveway. Commercial vehicles may park temporarily while making a delivery, pickup or service run.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Flint for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Building setbacks in Flint are set by Chapter 50 (Zoning) of the City Code, adopted October 29, 2022 by ordinance and amended through Ordinance 240459 effective December 7, 2025. Setbacks are the minimum horizontal distances required from the front, side or rear lot lines as specified in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Zoning Code, with district-specific dimensional standards for the TN (Traditional Neighborhood), MR (Mixed Residential), GN (Green Neighborhood) and non-residential districts..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Flint for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Impact Fees: Michigan municipalities lack explicit statutory authority to impose impact fees on new residential development. Unlike states with impact fee enabling acts (e.g., Florida's Impact Fee Act, Colorado C.R.S.

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), ADU Rules (moderate), Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Flint for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: City of Flint Code of Ordinances Chapter 9 Article XIV bars poultry and domestic fowl, other than household pets such as canaries and parakeets, on any residentially zoned lot within the City. Backyard chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys are not permitted in Flint residential districts.

Also covered: Pet Limits (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Flint for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Replacement Requirements: Tree replacement in the City of Flint is administered by the Forestry Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation for public-tree removals under Chapter 45, and by the Department of Planning and Development for development-site removals under the Flint Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 50). The City Forester (Section 45-5) specifies replacement species and standards for public-tree replacements; species are typically drawn from Michigan native/non-invasive trees suited to the Genesee County climate.

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Flint for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: The City of Flint requires a garage sale license from the City Clerk's Office before conducting any garage, yard, or estate sale, under Chapter 12 Article XXVIII of the Code of Ordinances. The first license costs $12 and the second license in the same year costs $5, both issued by the Flint City Clerk..

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Flint for details.

Landscaping Rules

Grass Height Limits: Grass height in the City of Flint is regulated under Chapter 39, Article IV (Weeds, Grass and the Like) of the Code of Ordinances. Section 39-43 declares the accumulation or growth of weeds, grass, brush, or other rank, noxious, poisonous, or otherwise harmful vegetation to a height greater than 8 inches a nuisance on developed parcels (subdivisions 60% built out along improved streets) and on any land within 200 feet of a structure designed for human occupancy or use.

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Water Restrictions (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Flint for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Residential pool barriers in Flint follow the Michigan Residential Code 2015 Appendix AG105, which requires a barrier at least 48 inches high around any pool deeper than 24 inches. Gates must open outward, self-close, and self-latch.

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Flint for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: The Flint River runs through the center of Flint and creates significant FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) downtown, near Carriage Town, along Thread Creek, and Gilkey Creek tributaries. Properties in Zones A and AE must comply with Michigan EGLE floodplain rules under Part 31 and federal NFIP standards..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Flint for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Every residential pool, hot tub, or spa deeper than 24 inches in Flint must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward, under Michigan Residential Code 2015 Appendix AG105 (statewide adoption). Public pools follow MCL 333.12521+ and MBC Section 3109..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Flint for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Flint regulates home occupations through Chapter 50 of the Flint City Code (the 2018 form-based Zoning Ordinance) under authority of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (MCL 125.3201 et seq.). Home occupations are typically permitted as accessory uses in residential transects subject to limits on floor area devoted to the business, exterior changes to the dwelling, non-resident employees, customer traffic, signage, outdoor storage, and noise.

Also covered: Signage Rules (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Flint for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Michigan has adopted the International Fire Code through the Michigan Fire Prevention Code (MCL 29.1 et seq.) and Bureau of Fire Services administrative rules. IFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (including charcoal grills and most propane grills) on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings (i.e., apartments and multi-family).

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar panel installations on Flint homes require permits under the Michigan Single State Construction Code (MCL 125.1501 et seq., PA 230 of 1972) — specifically a building permit for roof-mount structural review and an electrical permit for the photovoltaic system interconnection. Michigan's renewable energy and distributed generation framework is set by the Clean and Renewable Energy and Energy Waste Reduction Act (MCL 460.1001 et seq., PA 295 of 2008 as amended by PA 235 of 2016 and PA 235 of 2023), which authorizes the Michigan Public Service Commission to regulate net metering and distributed generation programs.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Flint, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Flint's city hall or code enforcement office.