Landscaping Rules in Flint, MI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Flint or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Flint has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

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. Section 39-44 establishes the May-through-September abatement season with the City Clerk publishing notice twice in April.

Key details: Controlling Section: Flint Code Sec. 39-43. Height Threshold: 8 inches. Abatement Season: May through September. Notice + Cure Period: 5 days after posted/mailed notice. State Backstop: MCL 247.61-247.72 (Act 359 of 1941).

Failure to abate within 5 days of posted/mailed notice under Section 39-44 triggers City-performed mowing, with the cost (mowing fee plus administrative charge) assessed against the parcel as a special assessment under MCL 247.65 (Michigan Noxious Weeds Act lien authority) and collected with the property-tax roll. Repeat violations during the same May-September season may be abated by the City as many times as necessary without re-noticing, with each abatement billed to the owner. Persistent neglect on rental property can impact Flint Rental Inspection Program standing under Chapter 17.5 of the Flint Code.

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming in the City of Flint is regulated under Chapter 45 (Trees and Shrubs) of the Flint Code of Ordinances. Trees on public property, in parks, or in the public right-of-way fall under the authority of the Recreation and Park Board and the City Forester (Section 45-5). Trimming a wholly private tree generally does not require a City permit. Section 45-11.1 authorizes the Forestry Division to remove trees, limbs, and shrubs that constitute an immediate hazard, with the Forestry Supervisor exercising discretion on hazard determinations.

Key details: Controlling Chapter: Flint Code Chapter 45 (Trees & Shrubs). Authority Section: Sec. 45-5 (Forester & Park Board). Emergency Removal: Sec. 45-11.1 (Forestry Supervisor discretion). Private Tree Pruning: Generally no City permit if wholly on lot. Timber-Trespass Statute: MCL 600.2919 (treble damages).

Pruning, topping, or otherwise disturbing a Flint street or park tree without a Forestry Division permit under Chapter 45 is a code violation enforced by the Department of Parks and Recreation Forestry Division. Standard Chapter 1 general penalty provisions apply (typically up to $500 per violation, plus restitution for tree damage using ISA tree-appraisal methodology - often several thousand dollars for a mature specimen). Damaging or killing a neighbor's tree through improper self-help trimming exposes the trimmer to civil liability under Michigan common law (Patterson v. Bonner) plus potential treble damages under MCL 600.2919 (Michigan's timber-trespass statute) for willful destruction of another's tree.

Weed Ordinances

Weed control in the City of Flint combines local Chapter 39 Article IV enforcement (8-inch height threshold for weeds, grass, brush, and rank, noxious, poisonous, or harmful vegetation) with Michigan's statewide Noxious Weeds Act (Act 359 of 1941, MCL 247.61-247.72). The City Clerk publishes seasonal abatement notice twice in April per Section 39-44, and the City may abate and lien recovery costs to the parcel. Pesticide application is governed by the Michigan Pesticide Control Act (Part 83 of NREPA, MCL 324.8301+).

Key details: Local Authority: Flint Code Sec. 39-43, 39-44. Height Threshold: 8 inches. State Noxious Weed Law: MCL 247.61-247.72 (Act 359 of 1941). Listed Invasives: Knotweed, phragmites, hogweed, garlic mustard. Pesticide Law: Part 83 NREPA (MCL 324.8301+).

Failure to abate weeds after Section 39-44 notice triggers City-performed mowing and special assessment lien recovery under MCL 247.65, with the cost collected on the property-tax roll. Cultivation, sale, or distribution of a state-listed prohibited noxious weed violates Michigan's Noxious Weeds Act and may trigger MDARD enforcement separate from local code action. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application violates Part 83 of NREPA (MCL 324.8301+) and is subject to MDARD civil penalties and license-revocation actions. Improper handling of restricted-use pesticides also violates federal FIFRA (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) and may trigger EPA enforcement.

Water Restrictions

The City of Flint does not impose day-to-day outdoor watering schedules or even/odd address restrictions. Flint's water utility - operated through the Department of Public Works and the Flint Water Service Center - draws from Lake Huron via the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) since the 2017 transition off the Flint River, and EPA lifted the 2016 Safe Drinking Water Act emergency order on May 19, 2025 after 97% of legacy lead service lines were replaced. Michigan does not have a statewide drought-emergency watering statute analogous to states like California; EGLE coordinates voluntary conservation guidance.

Key details: Water Source: Lake Huron via GLWA (since 2017). Utility Operator: City of Flint DPW / Water Service Center. Outdoor Watering Restrictions: None mandated locally. EPA Order Status: Lifted May 19, 2025. State Withdrawal Law: Part 327 NREPA (MCL 324.32701+).

Flint does not impose civil penalties for outdoor watering at any time of day. Tampering with water meters or making unauthorized connections to the water system violates Flint Code service-rule provisions and is a misdemeanor under Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act (MCL 325.1001+) with fines and potential service termination. Violation of cross-connection control rules can result in immediate service shutoff. Large groundwater withdrawals without an EGLE Water Withdrawal Assessment under Part 327 of NREPA are subject to EGLE civil penalties separate from local utility action.

The rules around water restrictions in Flint lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Tree removal in the City of Flint is governed by Chapter 45 (Trees and Shrubs) of the Flint Code of Ordinances. Removal of any tree on a street, in a park, or in the public right-of-way requires a permit from the Forestry Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation - the City Forester (per Section 45-5) and the Recreation and Park Board hold permitting authority. Section 45-11.1 separately authorizes the Forestry Supervisor to direct immediate-hazard removals. Routine removal of a wholly private dead, diseased, or hazardous tree generally does not require a City permit.

Key details: Controlling Chapter: Flint Code Chapter 45 (Trees & Shrubs). Permitting Authority: City Forester / Forestry Division. Emergency Removal: Sec. 45-11.1 (Forestry Supervisor). Private Hazard Removal: Generally exempt on private lots. Soil Erosion Threshold: 1 acre or within 500 ft of waterbody.

Removing a Flint street tree, park tree, or right-of-way tree without a Forestry Division permit under Chapter 45 is a code violation. Standard Chapter 1 general penalty provisions apply (typically up to $500 per violation), plus restitution for the appraised value of the tree using ISA tree-appraisal methodology (often several thousand dollars per mature specimen). Earth change exceeding 1 acre without a Part 91 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit (MCL 324.9101+) is subject to EGLE and Genesee County Drain Commissioner enforcement separate from Chapter 45. Willful destruction of another person's tree triggers Michigan's timber-trespass treble-damages remedy under MCL 600.2919.

Native Plants

The City of Flint does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. The Genesee County Land Bank Authority's Cleaner, Greener, Safer initiative is planting 1,600 native trees on vacant lots citywide. Michigan's Right to Farm Act (MCL 286.471-286.474, Act 93 of 1981) provides nuisance protection for qualifying agricultural operations and may preempt some local ordinances. Section 39-43's 8-inch nuisance rule still applies to neglected lots, but a maintained, intentional native-pollinator garden is distinguishable from rank growth.

Key details: Residential Mandate: None - voluntary. Right to Farm Act: MCL 286.471-286.474 (Act 93 of 1981). Land Bank Greening: Cleaner, Greener, Safer (1,600 native trees). Statewide Nonprofit: ReLeaf Michigan (since 1988). Local Education: MSU Extension Master Gardener of Genesee Co..

The City of Flint imposes no penalties on homeowners for choosing non-native or native landscaping. A neglected lot can still be cited under Section 39-43 for vegetation over 8 inches, but a documented, intentional native-meadow or pollinator-habitat plan reads as a maintained garden rather than rank growth. Local ordinances that conflict with GAAMPs under Michigan's Right to Farm Act (MCL 286.474) are preempted - a property owner running a qualifying farm operation has a nuisance-suit defense against local enforcement that conflicts with the GAAMP framework. Note that Right to Farm Act preemption is limited and complex; municipalities retain authority over many traditional zoning and health-and-safety matters.

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

Composting

Backyard composting in the City of Flint is permitted and encouraged. The City contracts with Priority Waste for curbside compost/yard waste collection on regular trash days, with the program running April 1 through the last week of November. Up to 20 bags or cans per pickup, container size 40 gallons or smaller, weight under 50 pounds. Michigan's Public Act 264 of 1990 (codified within Part 115 of NREPA, MCL 324.11521) banned yard clippings from landfills and incinerators in 1995. Open burning of leaves is regulated under Michigan Air Pollution Control rules (Part 55 of NREPA, MCL 324.5501+).

Key details: Collection Window: April 1 - last week of November. Bag/Can Limit: 20 per pickup; <40 gal; <50 lb. Curbside Hauler: Priority Waste (City contract). State Landfill Ban: MCL 324.11521 (Public Act 264 of 1990). Open Burning: Part 55 NREPA (MCL 324.5501+); locally restricted.

Improperly secured compost creating a documented vermin, odor, or fly nuisance is enforceable under Flint's nuisance and property-maintenance provisions. Placing yard waste in regular trash bound for landfill conflicts with Michigan's yard-waste landfill ban (MCL 324.11521) and may be refused by the hauler. Open burning of leaves, brush, or yard waste within Flint city limits without authorization violates City fire rules and Michigan Air Pollution Control rules under Part 55 of NREPA, with municipal fire-code fines and EGLE civil penalties (typically up to $10,000 per day for serious or repeat violators under the Air Pollution Act). Exceeding the 20-bag/50-pound limits or improper bundling can result in skipped pickups by Priority Waste.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Flint gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Flint's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.