Flint, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Adult Entertainment (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from residential/school/church
- 1,000 feet minimum
- Anti-clustering buffer
- 2,000 feet from similar uses
- Approving body
- Planning Commission
- Building requirement
- single freestanding building only
Summary
Group A adult businesses in the City of Flint need Planning Commission approval and cannot locate within 1,000 feet of a residential district, school, park or church, or within 2,000 feet of another regulated use.
An application to establish a group “A” special regulated use shall not be approved if the proposed location is within 1,000 feet of any residentially zoned district, mobile home park, K through 12 school, park or church.
(b) Group “B” special regulated uses (§ 50-161). An application to establish a group “B” special regulated use shall not be approved if the proposed location is within 300 feet of a residentially zoned district, mobile home park, K through 12 school, dedicated park or church.
(c) Group “C” special regulated uses (§ 50-161). An application to establish a group “C” special regulated use shall not be approved if the proposed location is within 200 feet of a residentially zoned district, mobile home park, K through 12 school, park or church, except in the D-4 zoning district where this locational standard is waived. (Ord. 2599, passed 4-25-1977; Ord. 2727, passed 7-23-1979; Ord. 3669, passed
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2016 Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 3821, passed 3-1-2012).
Full Breakdown
Flint zoning designates adult bookstores, adult theaters, adult nightclubs, massage establishments and steam baths as "Group A" special regulated uses under Chapter 50, Article XXIX. An application must go to the Planning and Zoning Office and win Planning Commission approval. Under § 50-164(a), the site cannot sit within 1,000 feet of any residentially zoned district, mobile home park, K-12 school, park or church. Under § 50-163(a), the application also fails if two or more Group A, B or C regulated uses already exist within 2,000 feet: a citywide anti-clustering rule. The use must occupy a single freestanding building not connected to any other business or residence.
Violations & Fines
Operating a Group A adult use without Planning Commission approval, or inside the 1,000-foot residential/school/church buffer or 2,000-foot concentration zone, is a zoning violation enforceable by the Building Inspector, including action to stop the use under § 50-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adult bookstore locate near a school in Flint?
Does Flint cap the number of adult businesses in one area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
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