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Flint, MI Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Height limit
8 inches
Applies within
200 ft of occupied structure
Fine
up to $200
Unpaid abatement cost
becomes a property lien

Summary

Weeds, grass, brush or other harmful vegetation taller than eight inches is a declared nuisance in the City of Flint on built-up subdivision lots and on any land within 200 feet of an occupied structure.

The accumulation or growth, upon any property in the City, of weeds, grass, brush or other rank, noxious, poisonous or otherwise harmful vegetation to a height greater than eight inches, when the growth or accumulation occurs in any subdivision in which buildings have been erected on 60% of that land along improved public streets to a depth of 200 feet, or on land within 200 feet of any structure designed for human occupancy or use, is hereby determined to be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City and is hereby deemed to be a nuisance. (Ord. 1756, passed 2-24-1964; Ord. 2989, passed 4-28-1986) § 39-43.1 NUISANCE PROHIBITED; REMOVAL.

(a)   No person having ownership or other interest in or control of lands shall permit the occurrence on such lands in the condition set forth in § 39-43 above. It shall be the duty of any such person to prevent the occurrence and to abate, destroy and/or remove the condition described in § 39-43 which has been identified as a nuisance.

(b)   For the purpose of this article, the property lying between the outermost edge of the street right-of-way and the street curb or the drainage course paralleling the street where there is no curb, shall be deemed to be the responsibility of the person responsible hereunder for the property abutting the street right-of-way, provided that the person shall not be responsible for dead, dangerous, diseased or insect-infected trees located on the right-of-way.

View official code

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

Vegetation over eight inches tall counts as a nuisance where it grows in a subdivision that's at least 60% built out along improved streets to a depth of 200 feet, or on any land within 200 feet of a structure meant for human occupancy. Owners must prevent, abate or remove it; if they don't, the City can do the work itself and bill the cost. Violations are civil infractions carrying a fine of up to $200, and unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the property.

Violations & Fines

Violating the height limit is a civil infraction of up to $200 at the court's discretion; the City can also abate the nuisance itself and attach the cost as a lien on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can grass or weeds legally grow in Flint?
No more than eight inches on built-up subdivision lots or within 200 feet of any occupied structure: taller growth is a declared nuisance under § 39-43.
What happens if I don't cut my grass in Flint?
You can be cited for a civil infraction of up to $200, and the City can mow the property and place a lien on it for the abatement cost, per §§ 39-43.1 and 39-43.1.A.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Flint

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How Flint compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan landscaping rules overview

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