Flint, MI Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Flint, MI, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Mayor-declared water supply emergency
- Schedule option
- even/odd address, even/odd day
- Advance notice
- 24 hours before order effective
- Penalty
- up to $500 fine, 90 days
- Standing rule?
- no: emergency-only
Summary
During a Mayor-declared water supply emergency, the City of Flint can limit lawn and garden watering to even-numbered addresses on even days and odd-numbered addresses on odd days.
Watering yards. The sprinkling, watering or irrigating of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, ground covers, plants, vines, gardens, vegetables, flowers or any other vegetation... The Mayor may allow the limited watering of yards for properties with an even-numbered address on even-numbered days and for properties with an odd-numbered address on odd-numbered days.
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 City Code § 46-5 lets the Mayor declare a water supply emergency during a drought or heavy-demand period that strains system pressure, then order a water reduction plan publicized at least 24 hours in advance. Under § 46-5(b)(1), that plan may bar sprinkling or irrigating lawns, shrubs, gardens, and other vegetation, though the Mayor may instead allow limited watering on an even/odd schedule tied to street address. The plan can also restrict car washing, outdoor-surface washing, and fountains (§ 46-5(b)(2)-(9)). This is not a standing schedule: it only applies once an emergency is declared, and the Mayor must publicly announce when it ends (§ 46-5(e)).
Violations & Fines
Violating an active water-emergency order is a misdemeanor under § 46-5(g): a fine up to $500, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Flint restrict lawn watering days year-round?
What's the penalty for watering on the wrong day during a Flint water emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
How Flint compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan landscaping rules overview
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