Barking dog rules in Flint, MI — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Flint Code Section 31-72(b)(4) makes it unlawful to own, possess, or harbor any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds creating a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. The reasonable-person test in Section 31-71 supplies the disturbance standard; no fixed minutes threshold is published.
Flint puts the operative barking-dog test directly inside the Chapter 31 Article II noise framework rather than in a separate animal-control chapter. Section 31-72(b)(4) reads: 'Animals and birds. Owning, possessing or harboring any animal or bird which frequently or for continued duration, howls, barks, meows, squawks or makes other sounds which create a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary.' The NOISE DISTURBANCE definition in Section 31-71 is a three-prong test: (1) endangers or injures safety or health of humans or animals; (2) annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensibilities; or (3) endangers or injures personal or real property. Animal-control enforcement (licensing, leash, dangerous-dog impound) runs through Genesee County Animal Control (4351 W Pasadena Ave, Flint - 810-732-1660) under the Michigan Dog Law of 1919, MCL 287.261 et seq. Noise-disturbance citations under Section 31-72(b)(4) are written by Flint Police (810-237-6800).
Section 31-78(a) imposes up to $1,500 fine or 90 days jail, or both. A first-time defendant can waive arraignment and pay a $25 fine under Section 31-78(b). Each day of continued violation is separately chargeable. Independent state-law action under MCL 287.286a (dog running at large) and county licensing/impound under the Michigan Dog Law of 1919 remain available.
Flint, MI
Residential pool barriers in Flint follow the Michigan Residential Code 2015 Appendix AG105, which requires a barrier at least 48 inches high around any pool...
Flint, MI
Flint Sec. 17-4 does not list approved residential fence materials but regulates construction features. Commercial and industrial fences over six feet must b...
Flint, MI
Flint Sec. 17-4 does not require neighbor consent to build a fence. Boundary-line disputes between adjoining owners are resolved under Michigan's partition-f...
Flint, MI
Flint requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for fence construction. The Zoning Division reviews placement against Sec. 17-4 height and material rules a...
Flint, MI
Flint Code Sec. 17-4 caps fences in A, B, and C residential zoning at 6 feet behind the 50-foot front setback line and 5 feet (max 50% solid) within the fron...
Flint, MI
The City of Flint does not impose a numeric ceiling on the number of dogs, cats, or other companion animals per household in Chapter 9 of the Code. Limits ar...
See how Flint's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.