Flint, MI Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Covers
- dogs, cats, and birds
- Timing
- applies any time of day
- Trigger
- habitual noise crossing property line
- Max penalty
- $1,500 fine or 90 days
Summary
The City of Flint makes it unlawful to own or harbor any dog, cat, or bird that habitually barks, howls, meows, or squawks loudly enough to disturb a residential neighbor.
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.
(5) Loading or unloading. 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
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)(4), prohibits owning, possessing, or harboring any animal or bird that frequently, or for a continued duration, howls, barks, meows, squawks, or otherwise creates a noise disturbance across a residential real property boundary. Unlike the ordinance's loading-dock and power-tool provisions, this rule isn't limited to nighttime: a persistently noisy dog can violate it at any hour. 'Noise disturbance' is defined broadly at § 31-71 to include any sound that annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensibilities, so the standard turns on the animal's habitual, ongoing noise rather than a single bark. Enforcement and penalties run through § 31-78, the same as the rest of Article II.
Violations & Fines
A violation carries the same Article II penalty as any other noise offense: a fine up to $1,500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, under § 31-78.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be cited for my dog barking in Flint?
Does the barking have to happen at night to violate Flint's ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Flint
Compare Flint to another location·View the Michigan noise ordinances overview
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