Home Business in Flint, MI

If you live in Flint or are thinking about moving there, home business are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Flint has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of home business, and some of them might surprise you.

Signage Rules

Flint's zoning code bars any sign or other advertising for a home occupation anywhere on the premises: one of twelve conditions attached to running a business from a single-family home.

Key details: Sign allowed: None, anywhere on premises. Governing section: § 50-21(d)(11). Applies to: Home occupations in A-2 district. Size exception: None stated in code.

A home occupation displaying a sign or visible advertising breaches § 50-21(d)(11); the Building Inspector can void the underlying permit, and the City may seek an order to restrain or abate the violation.

Compared to other cities, Flint takes a harder line on signage rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Home Daycare

State-licensed family day care and similar homes serving six or fewer people are a permitted residential use in every Flint residential zone, with no special or conditional use permit required, per § 50-90.1.

Key details: Facility size covered: six or fewer persons. Zoning status: permitted use, all residential zones. No extra permit: no special/conditional use required. Spacing limit: 1,500 feet between facilities.

Denying a qualifying state-licensed home day care the same by-right residential treatment other dwellings get, or operating two such facilities within 1,500 feet of each other, violates § 50-90.1.

Flint is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home daycare. That said, there are still limits.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

The City of Flint permits home occupations in single-family zoning districts, but only residents may work in the business, no more than 25% of the dwelling's floor area may be used, and no walk-in customer trade is allowed.

Key details: Floor area limit: 25% of dwelling, basement excluded. Walk-in trade: Not allowed. Who may work: Residents of the home only. Accessory buildings: Home occupation not permitted there. Governing section: § 50-21(d), A-2 district.

The Building Inspector enforces the zoning code and can void any permit issued in conflict with it; the City may bring an action to restrain, correct or abate a home occupation that breaches these conditions.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Flint's home occupation rules for residential zones flatly bar walk-in customer trade, § 50-21(d)(3) allows no client or customer visits to the home business at all.

Key details: Client visits: no walk-in trade allowed. Floor area cap: 25% of dwelling. Workers: residents only. Signage: none permitted.

Hosting customers or clients at a home occupation, any walk-in trade, violates § 50-21(d)(3) and can void the home occupation's zoning compliance, subject to enforcement by the Building Inspector under § 50-16.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Flint actively enforces its customer traffic restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Flint is tougher than many cities when it comes to home business. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Flint, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Flint can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.