Franklin, TN Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Franklin, TN, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Minor accessory structure cap
- 200 sq ft footprint
- Building permit
- exempt under 200 sq ft (IRC amendment)
- Zoning approval
- still required regardless of size
- 200 sq ft or larger
- must match principal building materials/roof/colors
- Footprint limit
- 50% of principal building footprint
- In-structure parking space
- min. 10 ft x 20 ft clear
- Violation penalty
- misdemeanor, separate offense per day
Summary
Franklin caps a shed, workshop or greenhouse at 200 square feet as a "minor accessory structure" under Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.4; go over that and it must match the house's exterior materials, roof elements and colors under § 5.2.7.B. Every accessory structure is capped at 50 percent of the principal building's footprint and must sit outside recorded easements.
5.2.3 Accessory Structures: Accessory structures shall: A. Comply with the maximum number, setback, and height requirements in the applicable zoning district, except those structures subject to Paragraph 5.1.4.Y, Telecommunication Towers and Antenna; B. Not be located within platted or recorded easements or over underground utilities; C. Be subordinate in area and size to the principal building (except for agricultural structures)...E. Not be constructed prior to the time the principal building is constructed (except for community gardens and agricultural uses). 5.2.4 Minor Accessory Structures...shall: ...C. Have a building footprint of 200 square feet or less...F. Be subject to building permit requirements per the Municipal Code. 5.2.7.B Accessory Structures Serving a Dwelling...shall comply with the following: 1. Accessory structures of 200 square feet or greater shall comply with the principal building type standards for materials, material changes, roof elements, and colors...4. The accessory structure footprint shall not exceed 50 percent of the building footprint of the principal building.
Full Breakdown
The 2026 Franklin Zoning Ordinance regulates sheds and other accessory structures in three layered sections. 3, Accessory Structures, sets the baseline: an accessory structure must comply with the maximum number, setback and height requirements of its zoning district, cannot sit in a platted or recorded easement or over underground utilities, must stay subordinate in area and size to the principal building (agricultural structures excepted), and cannot be built before the principal building except for community gardens and agricultural uses. 4, Minor Accessory Structures, covers the common case: storage or potting sheds, workshops, and greenhouses with a footprint of 200 square feet or less.
D. B, Accessory Structures Serving a Dwelling, takes over: the structure must comply with the principal building type's material, roof-element and color standards, any parking space inside it needs at least 10 by 20 feet of clear space per vehicle, a garage or carport in a rear yard abutting an alley must follow the applicable building type's alley-loading garage standards, and the whole accessory footprint cannot exceed 50 percent of the principal building's footprint.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining an accessory structure that violates the Zoning Ordinance is a misdemeanor under § 22.5, punishable by a fine under the general penalty clauses of Title 12 of the Municipal Code, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. Starting construction of an accessory building without the building permit required by Title 12 (for structures 200 square feet or larger) is separately unlawful under § 22.2. The City Attorney or an affected neighboring property owner may also seek an injunction or other court remedy under § 22.6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Franklin, Tennessee?
How big can my Franklin shed be before extra rules kick in?
How close to my property line can I put a shed?
Can my shed be bigger than my house's footprint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
How Franklin compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Franklin to another location·View the Tennessee accessory structures overview
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