How Flint Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Flint maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Flint falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Permit Requirements

Flint adopted a short-term rental ordinance in 2017 (Ordinance No. 4063, amending Title XV of the Flint Code of Ordinances) that requires hosts renting a dwelling for periods of less than 30 days to register the unit, obtain a city business license, and comply with rental certification under Michigan's Housing Law. Hosts must also collect the Michigan 6% Use Tax on transient accommodations (MCL 205.93a) and the Genesee County accommodations excise tax authorized under MCL 141.861 et seq. Statewide STR preemption proposed in Michigan HB 4722 (2024) remains pending.

Key details: Local Ordinance: Flint Ord. No. 4063 (2017). State Authority: MCL 125.526 (PA 247 of 2014). Statewide Preemption: HB 4722 (2024) pending - not law. State Use Tax: 6% (MCL 205.93a). County Accommodations Tax: 5% (MCL 141.861 et seq.).

Operating a short-term rental without rental certification is a violation of the Flint Code of Ordinances enforceable by Flint Code Enforcement, with civil-infraction citations issued through the 68th District Court. Failure to register can also bar the owner from exercising eviction rights under MCL 125.530 (Michigan Housing Law) for any tenancy at the unit. Failure to collect the Michigan 6% Use Tax can trigger Department of Treasury assessment plus penalty under MCL 205.23.

Noise Rules

Flint short-term rental hosts are responsible for guest noise under the city's general noise and nuisance provisions in the Flint Code of Ordinances. Flint does not impose an STR-specific decibel limit, so disturbances are enforced through the citywide noise chapter and Michigan's disorderly-persons statute (MCL 750.167). Repeat noise complaints at an STR address can support nonrenewal of the rental Certificate of Compliance under Public Act 247 of 2014 (MCL 125.526).

Key details: Local Rule: Flint Code of Ordinances (Municode). State Backup: MCL 750.167 (Disorderly Persons). Quiet Hours: 10 p.m. - 7 a.m. (practical). Enforcement: Flint Police + Code Enforcement. License Risk: Repeat complaints risk CoC nonrenewal.

Citations under the Flint noise chapter are processed as civil infractions through the 68th District Court, with fines escalating per occurrence. MCL 750.167 disorderly-persons charges carry up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for the guest individually. Documented repeat complaints at a registered rental address can support nonrenewal of the Certificate of Compliance and exposure under MCL 125.530, which conditions Michigan landlord eviction rights on rental compliance.

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). The combined rate is 11% on every stay of less than 30 consecutive days. Stays of 30 days or more by the same guest are exempt from both.

Key details: Michigan Use Tax: 6% (MCL 205.93a). Genesee County Tax: 5% accommodations excise. Combined Rate: 11% on stays under 30 days. 30-Day Exemption: Stays 30+ days by same guest exempt. State Administrator: Michigan Department of Treasury.

Failure to register and remit Michigan Use Tax under MCL 205.93a triggers Department of Treasury assessment plus penalty and interest under MCL 205.23; willful evasion can be charged as a felony under MCL 205.27. Failure to remit the Genesee County accommodations tax carries penalty and interest under the county ordinance and can lead to assessment by the County Treasurer. Continued nonpayment exposes the property to a tax lien.

Compared to other cities, Flint takes a harder line on taxes & fees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parking Rules

Flint does not impose STR-specific parking minimums, but short-term rentals are bound by the off-street parking requirements in the Flint Zoning Ordinance for the use district where the dwelling sits, and by the on-street parking rules in the Flint Code of Ordinances. Hosts must inform guests that posted time limits and winter snow-emergency rules apply, and routine on-street overflow from a registered rental can support code-enforcement action.

Key details: Off-Street Minimum: Per Flint Zoning Ordinance. On-Street Authority: Flint Police. Snow Emergency: Declared by Mayor; bans posted. Tow Authority: MCL 257.252a. STR-Specific Rule: None - underlying use applies.

On-street parking violations issued by Flint Police carry citation fines that escalate with each repeat; vehicles can be ticketed and towed during declared snow emergencies under the Flint Code and MCL 257.252a. Zoning-based off-street parking shortfalls can be cited by Code Enforcement as a zoning violation, with civil-infraction action through the 68th District Court. Repeat complaints support nonrenewal of the rental Certificate of Compliance under MCL 125.526.

Occupancy Limits

Flint does not set an STR-specific occupancy cap, but every rental dwelling must meet the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) minimum-area standards as adopted through Michigan's Construction Code Act (Public Act 230 of 1972, MCL 125.1501 et seq.) and the city's rental certification program. IPMC Section 404 sets minimum sleeping-room area at 70 sq ft for one occupant plus 50 sq ft per additional occupant.

Key details: Governing Code: IPMC Section 404 (via MI Construction Code Act). Bedroom Minimum: 70 sq ft (1 person) + 50 sq ft per add'l. Enforcement: Flint Buildings & Safety Inspections. Children: Under 12 count as 0.5 person. Vacate Order: IPMC Section 108 available for overcrowding.

Overcrowding is a code violation enforced by Flint Buildings & Safety Inspections under the rental certification ordinance, with civil infractions processed through the 68th District Court and fines escalating per occurrence. IPMC Section 108 authorizes the Code Official to issue an order to vacate for unsafe occupancy. Repeat occupancy violations support nonrenewal of the rental Certificate of Compliance under MCL 125.526. Misrepresenting occupancy to platform guests can also support deceptive-practice claims under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCL 445.901 et seq.).

Insurance Requirements

Flint does not require short-term rental hosts to carry a specific insurance policy or post a liability minimum, and Michigan has no statewide STR insurance mandate. However, hosts using Airbnb or VRBO rely on platform-provided host protection (AirCover up to $1M, VRBO Liability Insurance up to $1M), and a standard Michigan homeowner's policy almost always excludes commercial transient rental.

Key details: City Mandate: None. State Mandate: None (Michigan). Airbnb AirCover: Up to $1M liability. VRBO Liability: Up to $1M (booking-tied). Homeowner Exclusion: Standard MI HO-3 excludes business use.

Operating without adequate insurance is not a code violation in Flint, but a guest injury without coverage can result in personal liability up to the host's full net worth. A Michigan homeowner's policy that excludes business pursuits will deny the claim, and Michigan's Uniform Trade Practices Act (MCL 500.2001 et seq.) does not help if the exclusion is clearly drafted in the policy. Misrepresenting STR use to a homeowner's insurer can also support rescission of the policy under MCL 500.2218.

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

The Bottom Line

Flint's short-term rentals 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.

These rules come from Flint's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.