Flint's Noise Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles noise ordinances a little differently. In Flint, Michigan, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

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. Section 40103 federally preempts municipal regulation of aircraft in flight.

Key details: Airport: Bishop International (FNT/KFNT). Location: 3425 W Bristol Rd, southwestern Flint. Operator: Bishop International Airport Authority (1987). Runways: 9/27 and 18/36 (asphalt). Local Exemption: Sec. 31-77(e) exempts aircraft and trains.

No local penalty for aircraft operations can be imposed - Section 31-77(e) exempts aircraft from Article II, and federal preemption blocks any municipal enforcement. Federal violations of 14 CFR Section 91.119 minimum altitudes are enforced by the FAA against pilots: certificate suspension and civil penalties up to $37,377 per violation under 49 U.S.C. Section 46301 (as inflation-adjusted). Land-use noise compatibility runs through 14 CFR Part 150.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Flint gives residents more flexibility on aircraft noise.

Quiet Hours

Flint Code of Ordinances Chapter 31 Article II (the Noise Control Ordinance, adopted by Ord. 2741 on 10-22-1979) defines NIGHTTIME in Section 31-71 as 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and DAYTIME as 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Section 31-75 then sets continuous-noise caps at 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night in residential receiving areas, measured at the property boundary line.

Key details: Code Section: Chapter 31 Article II (Secs. 31-70 to 31-79). Nighttime Hours: 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Sec. 31-71). Residential Continuous-Noise Cap: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night. Residential Perpetual-Noise Cap: 50 dBA day / 45 dBA night. Maximum Fine: $1,500 and/or 90 days (Sec. 31-78).

Section 31-78(a) sets the penalty: up to $1,500 fine or up to 90 days imprisonment, or both. Section 31-78(b) lets a first-time defendant waive arraignment and pay a $25 fine at the District Court Clerk. Each separate offense is independently chargeable.

Construction Hours

Flint Code Section 31-77(f) exempts the erection, excavation, demolition, alteration or repair of any building from the Article II dBA caps between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays only. Work outside that window requires a permit from the Department of Building and Safety Inspection, issued under Section 31-77(f)(2) on public-health-or-safety, no-impairment, or substantial-loss-or-inconvenience findings.

Key details: Code Section: Section 31-77(f). Allowed Hours (No Permit): 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays. Weekend Work: Permit required (no automatic exemption). Issuing Authority: Dept. of Building and Safety Inspection. Permit Standard: Public-safety, no-impairment, or substantial-loss.

Construction work outside the 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekday window without a Building and Safety Inspection permit is a Section 31-78 violation: up to $1,500 fine, 90 days jail, or both. A $25 waiver fine is available for a first-offense plea at the District Court Clerk under Section 31-78(b). Each day of unpermitted off-hours work is separately chargeable.

Barking Dogs

Flint Code Section 31-72(b)(4) makes it unlawful to own, possess, or harbor any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds creating a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. The reasonable-person test in Section 31-71 supplies the disturbance standard; no fixed minutes threshold is published.

Key details: Code Section: Section 31-72(b)(4). Test: Frequently or for continued duration. Standard: Reasonable person of normal sensibilities. Animals Covered: Any animal or bird (not just dogs). Animal Control: Genesee County Animal Control (810) 732-1660.

Section 31-78(a) imposes up to $1,500 fine or 90 days jail, or both. A first-time defendant can waive arraignment and pay a $25 fine under Section 31-78(b). Each day of continued violation is separately chargeable. Independent state-law action under MCL 287.286a (dog running at large) and county licensing/impound under the Michigan Dog Law of 1919 remain available.

Leaf Blower Rules

Flint Code Section 31-72(b)(10) prohibits operating any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, snowblower, or similar device outdoors in residential areas during nighttime (9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) in a manner causing a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, except in an emergency. There is no gas-blower ban.

Key details: Code Section: Section 31-72(b)(10) and 31-77(g). Nighttime Ban: 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. across residential boundary. Daytime Exemption: Normal and customary use (Sec. 31-77(g)). Equipment Covered: Saws, drills, lawn/garden tools, snowblowers. Gas Leaf Blower Ban: None in Flint or under Michigan law.

Section 31-78(a): up to $1,500 fine, 90 days jail, or both for nighttime operation breaching a residential boundary. The Section 31-78(b) first-offense $25 waiver at the District Court Clerk is available. Section 31-77(g) defense (normal and customary daytime operation) is unavailable for nighttime use under Section 31-72(b)(10), which is independent of dBA measurement.

Amplified Music & Events

Flint Code Section 31-72(b)(1) prohibits operating any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, or similar device in a manner creating a noise disturbance across a real property boundary, or at 50 feet from a vehicle on a public right-of-way. Section 31-72(b)(2) separately regulates loudspeakers and public-address systems. Section 31-72(b)(7) caps live-venue interior sound at 100 dBA without a posted warning sign.

Key details: Code Sections: Sec. 31-72(b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(7). Vehicle 50-Foot Rule: Disturbance at 50 ft from vehicle = violation. Venue Interior Cap: 100 dBA without posted warning sign. First Amendment Exemption: Noncommercial public speaking/assembly (Sec. 31-72(a)). Vehicle-Mounted Speakers: Banned outside cab for noncommercial use.

Section 31-78(a): up to $1,500 fine, 90 days jail, or both. Section 31-78(b) supplies the $25 first-offense waiver at the District Court Clerk. Each subsection violation (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(7) is independently chargeable. Venues missing the 100 dBA warning sign required by Section 31-72(b)(7) face the same penalty schedule.

Vehicle Noise

Vehicle noise in Flint runs through three layers. Section 31-72(b)(1)(b) of the City Code prohibits sound devices in a vehicle creating a disturbance at 50 feet on a public right-of-way. Section 31-72(b)(6) bans vehicle/motorboat repair or testing causing a residential boundary disturbance. State law MCL 257.707c preempts municipal motor vehicle noise standards and sets the controlling 86/90 dBA caps at 50 feet.

Key details: Code Sections: Sec. 31-72(b)(1)(b), (b)(6), (b)(9); 31-77(d). Car Stereo Rule: Disturbance at 50 ft from vehicle = violation. Motorboat Cap: 85 dBA at 50 ft or nearest shoreline. State Preemption: MCL 257.707c (Public Act 73 of 1978). Motorcycle Cap (35+ mph): 86 dBA at 50 ft under MCL 257.707c.

Two penalty tracks. Local Section 31-78(a): up to $1,500 fine, 90 days jail, or both for Section 31-72(b)(1)(b), (b)(6), and (b)(9) violations not preempted by state vehicle code. State MCL 257.707c muffler/exhaust violation: civil infraction, fine up to $100, no jail. Each violation independently chargeable; equipment-removal repair tickets may also issue under state law.

Industrial Noise

Industrial sources in Flint face four-tier dBA caps under Chapter 31 Article II: Section 31-73 impulsive (100 dBA day / 90 night), Section 31-74 intermittent (80 / 55), Section 31-75 continuous (70 / 65), Section 31-76 perpetual (60 / 55). Limits are measured at the RECEIVING property boundary, so an industrial source adjacent to residential is effectively held to the residential cap.

Key details: Industrial Impulsive Cap: 100 dBA day / 90 dBA night (Sec. 31-73). Industrial Intermittent Cap: 80 dBA day / 55 dBA night (Sec. 31-74). Industrial Continuous Cap: 70 dBA day / 65 dBA night (Sec. 31-75). Industrial Perpetual Cap: 60 dBA day / 55 dBA night (Sec. 31-76). Measurement Rule: At receiving boundary (Sec. 31-71).

Section 31-78(a) penalty: up to $1,500 fine, 90 days jail, or both, per violation. Section 31-78(b) $25 first-offense waiver available at District Court Clerk. Each day of continued violation is separately chargeable - the practical hook against 24-hour industrial operations. Common-law nuisance damages and injunctive relief in Genesee County Circuit Court remain independently available.

The Bottom Line

Flint's noise ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Flint is broadly strict or permissive.

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.