Flint, MI Garage & Yard Sales: Garage Sale Permits (2026)

Chapter 12 Article XXVIII of the City of Flint Code, including Section 12-264 (Permits and Fees), makes it unlawful to conduct a garage sale in the City of Flint without first filing the required information with the City Clerk and obtaining a garage sale license. The license framework is unusual for Michigan, where most cities and townships either do not regulate residential garage sales or impose only a frequency cap; Flint elects an affirmative license model. Applications are available in person, by mail, or by telephone from the Flint City Clerk's Office at City Hall (1101 S. Saginaw Street). The first garage sale license in a license period costs $12 and the second license in the same period costs $5, with the Clerk verifying the address and confirming the applicant has not exceeded the City's frequency cap (see frequency-limits entry). The license must be available for inspection on the sale premises during the event. Imported merchandise resale is treated as a retail business and is not authorized under the residential garage sale framework; such activity requires a separate business license and is generally not permitted on a residential lot under Chapter 50 (Zoning). Estate sales conducted by a licensed estate sale company on behalf of an estate may proceed under the company's separate licensing rather than the homeowner garage sale license, though the Clerk's Office should be consulted before scheduling.