Flint, MI Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Nighttime hours
- 9 p.m.–8 a.m.
- Restricted items
- boxes, crates, garbage cans
- Trigger
- disturbance crosses residential line
- Max penalty
- $1,500 fine or 90 days
Summary
The City of Flint prohibits loading, unloading, or handling boxes, crates, containers, and garbage cans between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. if the resulting noise crosses onto a residential property line.
Loading, unloading, opening, closing or other handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, garbage cans or similar objects during the nighttime in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
(6) Vehicle or motorboat repairs and testing. Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorboat in such a manner as to cause a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.
(7) Places of public entertainment. Operating, playing, or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph, drum, musical instrument, sound amplifier, or similar device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound in any place of public entertainment at a sound level greater than 100 dB(A) as read by the slow response on a sound level meter at any point that is normally occupied by a customer, unless a conspicuous and legible sign is located outside such place, near each public entrance, stating: “Warning: Sound Levels Within May Cause Permanent Hearing Impairment.”
(8) Explosives, firearms, and similar devices. The use or firing of explosives, firearms, or similar devices which create impulsive sound so as to cause a noise disturbance across a real property boundary or in a public space or right-of-way.
(9) Motorboats. Operating or permitting the operation of any motorboat
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 Noise Control Ordinance, § 31-72(b)(5), makes it unlawful to load, unload, open, close, or otherwise handle boxes, crates, containers, building materials, or garbage cans during the nighttime, defined at § 31-71 as 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., in a manner that creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. The rule targets exactly the kind of clatter delivery trucks, trash haulers, and loading docks generate after dark; daytime loading noise isn't restricted by this section. It sits within Article II of Chapter 31, alongside Flint's broader noise-disturbance and decibel-limit rules, and carries the same penalties as the rest of the article.
Violations & Fines
Violating Article II is a misdemeanor under § 31-78: up to a $1,500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both; a first-time offender may instead plead guilty and pay $25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Flint restrict delivery trucks unloading at night?
What happens if I'm cited for nighttime loading noise in Flint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan noise from specific sources overview
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