10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Genesee County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Genesee County sets no countywide quiet-hours rule. Your city or township does, under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Flint, the county seat, defines nighttime as 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., when a lower decibel ceiling applies.
Flint City Code § 31-71
DAYTIME. Unless otherwise specifically noted, means the hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. NIGHTTIME. Unless otherwise specifically noticed, means the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
There is no countywide construction-hours rule. Each city or township sets its own. Flint exempts building erection, demolition, alteration or repair from noise limits between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays; work outside those hours needs a permit.
Flint City Code § 31-77(f)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to... The erection (including excavating), demolition, alteration or repair of any building: (1) Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on weekdays; or (2) At any other time if a permit for same has been secured from the Department of Building and Safety Inspection.
Genesee County has no standalone barking-dog noise limit; your city or township handles it through its noise ordinance. Flint makes it unlawful to harbor any animal that frequently or continuously barks so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential boundary.
Flint City Code § 31-72(b)(4)
Animals and birds. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration, howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
Genesee County sets no leaf-blower rule; municipalities do. Flint bars outdoor power tools, including leaf/garden equipment, during nighttime if they create a noise disturbance, but exempts normal, customary daytime yard work.
Flint City Code § 31-72(b)(10)
Domestic power tools. Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, snowblower, or similar device used outdoors in residential areas during the nighttime so as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary, except in an emergency.
Genesee County sets no amplified-sound rule countywide. Cities and townships do. Flint bans radios, instruments and sound amplifiers that create a noise disturbance across a property line, or at 50 feet from a vehicle or boat.
Flint City Code § 31-72(b)(1)
Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound: a. In such a manner as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary.
Neither Genesee County nor its cities regulate aircraft noise; it is preempted by the federal government (FAA). Flint's noise ordinance expressly exempts aircraft and trains. Complaints about Bishop International Airport traffic go to the airport or FAA.
Flint City Code § 31-77(e)
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the following:... (e) Aircraft and trains.
Genesee County sets no industrial-noise standard; municipalities do through zoning and noise ordinances. Flint caps continuous noise in industrial areas at 70 dB(A) daytime and 65 dB(A) nighttime at the receiving property line.
Flint City Code § 31-75
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, cause or permit to be operated any source of continuous noise within the City which exceeds the maximum permissible sound levels established herein... Industrial area 70 dB(A) daytime, 65 dB(A) nighttime.
Michigan has no statewide dBA standard for general noise and Genesee County sets none countywide. Where a city adopts numeric limits, they apply locally. Flint caps continuous residential noise at 60 dB(A) daytime and 50 dB(A) nighttime at the property line.
Flint City Code § 31-75 (continuous noise)
Maximum permissible sound levels for receiving land uses are hereby established as follows: Residential area 60 dB(A) daytime, 50 dB(A) nighttime; Commercial area 65 dB(A) daytime, 60 dB(A) nighttime; Industrial area 70 dB(A) daytime, 65 dB(A) nighttime.
No countywide outdoor-music rule exists; cities and townships regulate it. Flint bars using a loudspeaker or public-address system for noncommercial purposes at night if it creates a noise disturbance across a residential boundary.
Flint City Code § 31-72(b)(2)
Loudspeakers/public address systems. a. Using or operating for noncommercial purposes any loudspeaker, public address system or similar device during the nighttime, so that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance across a residential real or property boundary.
Vehicle noise on Michigan roads is set by state law statewide, not by Genesee County. MCL 257.707c caps a passenger car at 76 dBA where the speed limit is 35 mph or under, and 82 dBA above 35 mph, measured at 50 feet.
MCL 257.707c
A motor vehicle must not be operated or driven on a highway or street if the motor vehicle produces total noise exceeding 1 of the following limits at a distance of 50 feet:... Seventy-six DBA if the maximum lawful speed... is not more than 35 miles per hour.
1 cities in Genesee County have their own noise ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Genesee County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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