Flint, MI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Height, 50+ ft setback
- Up to 6 feet
- Height, closer to street
- Up to 5 feet
- Solid construction cap
- 50% of any 5x5 section
- Citation
- Flint City Code § 17-4(a)
Summary
In the City of Flint, residential fences set back 50 feet or more from the front property line can stand six feet tall; closer to the street, the limit drops to five feet with a 50% solid-construction cap.
On residentially A, B or C zoned property, fences located fifty (50) feet or more back from the front property line, and in the case of a corner lot, behind the side street building line, shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. In the remaining locations on this property, a fence shall not exceed five (5) feet in height and not more than fifty percent (50%) of the area of any five-foot long, five-foot high section shall be solid matter or closed construction. Provided, however, that fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height may be erected on perimeters of church and school property adjacent to residential property. Provided, further that fences not more than six (6) feet high may be erected not less than twenty-five (25) feet back from the front property line if existing residential buildings are located not less than eight
(8) feet from the property line on adjoining lots. Barbed wire is prohibited.
(b) On all commercially D zoned property, fences shall not be constructed over seven (7) feet, six (6) inches in height. Barbed wire may be installed in the top one (1) foot of such fence on arms or supports projecting over the private property side of the fence, the lowest strand at least six (6) feet, six (6) inches above the grade on that side. Fences over six (6) feet in height, exclusive of barbed wire, shall be constructed of incombustible material except for posts and supporting members.
(c) On industrially E and F zoned property, fences may be of unlimited
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's fence ordinance, § 17-4(a), sets residential height limits by setback. On A, B, or C zoned residential property, a fence set back 50 feet or more from the front property line, or behind the side street building line on a corner lot, can be up to six feet tall. Everywhere else on the lot the limit drops to five feet, and no more than 50% of any five-foot by five-foot section can be solid or closed construction. Taller fences up to six feet are allowed along church and school perimeters next to residential property, and along front setbacks of 25 feet or more where neighboring homes sit at least 8 feet off the line.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the height or solid-construction limits of § 17-4 is enforced as a municipal civil infraction under §§ 1-10 through 1-21, per the penalty clause at § 17-99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a privacy fence be in my Flint front yard?
Does the height limit change on a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
How Flint compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan fence regulations overview
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