Flint, MI Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)
Outdoor burning rules in Flint, MI, also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance, set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
Key Facts
- General rule
- Open burning of refuse/waste banned
- Exceptions
- Cooking, training, Director-approved only
- Authority
- Fire Director (approval/notice)
- Penalty class
- Municipal civil infraction
Summary
Flint bans open burning of refuse and waste materials citywide, permitting fires only in narrow, listed circumstances approved by the Fire Director.
No person shall dispose of refuse or other waste materials by open burning, or cause or permit open burning of refuse or other waste materials except where permitted.
(b) No person shall maintain an open fire except as follows.
(1) Fire for noncommercial cooking of food for human consumption. Such fire shall be fueled by charcoal or propane gas only.
(2) Fire for training personnel in methods of fire fighting upon notification by writing to the Director.
(3) Fires for other essential purposes for which written approval has been granted by the Director.
(c) Violation of this section shall be a municipal civil infraction punishable by a fine pursuant to §§
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
City of Flint Code § 4-13(a) prohibits disposing of refuse or other waste materials by open burning, or causing or permitting such burning, except where permitted. Subsection (b) then narrows the permitted exceptions to noncommercial cooking fires (charcoal/propane only), firefighter training fires with written notice to the Director, and other essential-purpose fires with the Director's written approval, meaning trash, brush, and yard-waste burning are otherwise off-limits inside city limits. Chapter 39's rubbish provisions separately reinforce that burning rubbish in open fires is prohibited except as authorized elsewhere in the Code.
Violations & Fines
A violation is a municipal civil infraction, fined under §§ 1-10 through 1-21 of the City of Flint Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste or trash outdoors in Flint?
Who can approve an exception to Flint's burning ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
How Flint compares: Cities with the Strictest Outdoor Burning Rules·Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan fire regulations overview
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