Barking dog rules in Flint, MI β also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances β 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.
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