Franklin's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Franklin, Tennessee, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Brush Clearance

Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations) of the Franklin Municipal Code requires every property owner or tenant to periodically cut grass and weeds and keep the property free of accumulated brush and debris. Burning brush is prohibited inside Franklin city limits; instead, the City of Franklin Sanitation and Environmental Services / Solid Waste Department (615-794-1516) collects yard waste and brush curbside from homeowners weekly at no additional charge. Grass clippings and small ground waste must be placed in brown biodegradable paper bags; larger limbs and clippings may be set out loose at the curb. Owners cited for overgrown vegetation are typically given a written notice and a 10-day window to remedy before the City may abate at the owner's expense.

Key details: Code Cite: Franklin Municipal Code Title 13, Chapter 1. Cure Period: 10 days from written notice (20 days for carriers). Burn Brush In Lieu?: No - prohibited inside Franklin city limits. Free Curbside Yard Waste: Weekly via Solid Waste (615-794-1516). Cost Recovery: Lien against property if City abates.

Code Enforcement issues a written notice giving the owner 10 days (20 days for transportation carriers) to bring the property into compliance. Continued violations may result in the City abating the nuisance (mowing or removal) at the owner's expense, with the cost recoverable as a lien on the property. Burning brush as an alternative to compliance is itself a separate violation enforced by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270). For yard-waste pickup questions: Solid Waste at 615-794-1516.

Fireworks

The City of Franklin has prohibited the sale and use of consumer fireworks since 1999 by ordinance adopted under Title 7 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Sky lanterns are also prohibited statewide. Tennessee Code Annotated 68-104-116 expressly authorizes municipalities to regulate, restrict, or totally prohibit the sale and use of fireworks within their corporate limits even though TCA Chapter 68-104 otherwise legalizes consumer fireworks (Class C / 1.4G) statewide. The Franklin Fire Department and Franklin Police Department jointly enforce the ban; violators may face fines under Franklin Municipal Code penalties and may be held civilly liable for any damages caused. Permitted public fireworks displays under TCA 68-104 require a State Fire Marshal display permit and local Franklin Fire Marshal approval.

Key details: Local Status: Sale and use prohibited since 1999. State Authority: TCA 68-104-116 (Local Regulation). Local Cite: Franklin Municipal Code Title 7. Sky Lanterns: Prohibited statewide. Public Displays: Require SFMO license + local Fire Marshal approval.

The Franklin Fire Department and Franklin Police Department jointly enforce the consumer fireworks ban. Violators may face municipal fines under Title 7 of the Franklin Municipal Code and may be held civilly liable for any property damage or injury caused by unlawful discharge. State law TCA 68-104-127 and related provisions make unauthorized sale or use in a municipality where fireworks are banned a Class C misdemeanor; fireworks possessed for sale within a banned municipality are declared contraband under state law and subject to confiscation.

Compared to other cities, Franklin takes a harder line on fireworks. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildfire Zones

Franklin sits in Middle Tennessee's Central Basin / Highland Rim transition in Williamson County and is not within a federally mapped Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone. Tennessee does not adopt the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) statewide; TCA 68-120-101 establishes the 2018 IBC/IRC/IFC family as the statewide minimum and the State Fire Marshal's Office administers it. Wildfire-related controls inside Franklin therefore come from (1) the Franklin Fire Marshal's local prohibition on open burning of brush and trash under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code, and (2) Tennessee's statewide outdoor-burning permit season under TCA 68-102, which requires a free burn permit from October 15 through May 15 for any outdoor burning within 500 ft of forestland or grassland - applicable in unincorporated Williamson County around Franklin.

Key details: WUI Status: Not in a federally mapped WUI zone. IWUIC Adoption: None (TN does not adopt IWUIC statewide). State Statute: TCA 68-120-101 (statewide min); TCA 68-102 (Forestry burn permits). Local Cite: Franklin Municipal Code Title 7, Chapter 2 (Fire Code). Building Code: 2024 IFC + 2024 NFPA 101 (locally); 2018 IRC statewide minimum.

Because Tennessee has no statewide WUI code and Franklin has not adopted one, wildfire-related enforcement runs through (1) the Franklin Fire Marshal's prohibition on brush/trash burning inside city limits under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code (615-791-3270); (2) the Tennessee Division of Forestry's statewide burn-permit program under TCA Title 68, Chapter 102 - violations are a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-148; and (3) TDEC Rule 1200-03-04 air-pollution-control limits on burning prohibited materials.

Franklin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to wildfire zones. That said, there are still limits.

Outdoor Burning

Open burning of residential brush, yard waste, and trash is prohibited inside Franklin city limits per the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office under Title 7, Chapter 2 (Fire Code) of the Franklin Municipal Code, which adopts the 2024 International Fire Code. Campfires and bonfires require a burn permit issued by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office and are approved only in recreational settings (not for trash or yard waste); permits are subject to inspection. Above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits do not require a permit. Outside Franklin city limits in unincorporated Williamson County, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires a free burn permit from October 15 through May 15 for any outdoor burning within 500 ft of forestland or grassland (TCA 68-102 and Rule 0080-03-04). Use the City's free weekly curbside yard waste collection (Solid Waste, 615-794-1516) as the lawful alternative.

Key details: Brush/Yard Waste Burning: Prohibited inside Franklin city limits. Campfire/Bonfire: Permit required from Franklin Fire Marshal's Office. Fire Pit/Chiminea: No permit required. State Permit Season: Oct 15-May 15 (TN Forestry, outside city only). Local Alternative: Free curbside yard waste pickup (615-794-1516).

Open burning of brush, yard waste, or trash inside Franklin city limits is enforced by the Franklin Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270) under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires; violators may be cited under the Municipal Code's penalty provisions and may also face state-level penalties under TCA Title 68, Chapter 102 (Forestry/Fire) and the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Act for burning prohibited materials. State Division of Forestry burn-permit violations outside city limits are a Class C misdemeanor under TCA 68-102-148.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Franklin actively enforces its outdoor burning requirements.

Backyard Fires

Backyard fires in Franklin fall into three categories under Title 7, Chapter 2 (Fire Code) of the Franklin Municipal Code, which adopts the 2024 IFC: (1) above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits - allowed without a permit; (2) campfires and bonfires not in an above-ground appliance - require a burn permit from the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office and are approved only in recreational settings, subject to inspection; (3) open burning of brush, yard waste, or trash - prohibited inside city limits regardless of containment. The IFC's recreational-fire standards (Section 307) require attendance by an adult with an extinguishment means and minimum setbacks from structures and combustibles; the Franklin Fire Marshal applies these to permitted campfires and bonfires.

Key details: Above-Ground Fire Pit: Allowed without permit. Campfire/Bonfire: Burn permit required from Fire Marshal. Brush/Trash Burning: Prohibited inside city limits. Code Cite: FMC Title 7, Ch. 2 (2024 IFC) - IFC Section 307. Permitted Fuel: Seasoned natural wood only.

Backyard fires that violate Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code or the adopted 2024 IFC are enforced by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270). Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires; unattended fires, oversize fires, fires too close to structures, fires burning prohibited materials, or unpermitted bonfires/campfires may be ordered extinguished and cited under the Municipal Code's penalty provisions.

Fire Pit Rules

The City of Franklin Fire Marshal's Office permits residential use of above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits without a burn permit. Open burning of brush or trash is prohibited inside Franklin city limits. Campfires and bonfires (those not in an above-ground appliance) require a burn permit from the Franklin Fire Department and are issued only for approved recreational settings - not for burning yard waste or trash. The Franklin Fire Department enforces the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the 2024 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, per Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Tennessee's statewide minimum standard is the 2018 IBC/IRC/IFC family under TCA 68-120-101.

Key details: Above-Ground Pit Permit: Not required. Campfire/Bonfire Permit: Required from Franklin Fire Marshal's Office. Brush/Trash Burning: Prohibited inside city limits. Adopted Code: 2024 IFC + 2024 NFPA 101 (Title 7, Ch. 2 FMC). Fire Marshal Contact: 615-791-3270 (109 3rd Ave S).

Unpermitted open burning is enforced by the Franklin Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code (615-791-3270). Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires. Fire Code violations in Tennessee are also enforceable by the State Fire Marshal's Office under TCA Title 68, Chapter 120. Recreational fires that violate IFC Section 307 (oversized, too close to structures, unattended, or burning prohibited materials) may be ordered extinguished.

The rules around fire pit rules in Franklin lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Propane Storage

Propane (LP-gas) storage, use, and dispensing in Franklin is regulated by the Tennessee LP-Gas Code (Tennessee adoption of NFPA 58, 2020 edition) under Tennessee's Liquefied Petroleum Safety Act of Tennessee (TCA Title 68, Chapter 135) and Tennessee Rules 0780-02-17, and by Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) of the 2024 International Fire Code adopted locally under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. The State Fire Marshal's Office regulates LP-gas dealers, transporters, and bulk facilities; the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office enforces in-City installations. Container installations more than 2,000 gallons single or 4,000 gallons aggregate water capacity require construction documents. Per IFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, LP-gas grills with containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity may not be operated or stored on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings (1- and 2-family dwellings and fully sprinklered buildings exempt).

Key details: State Cite: TCA Title 68, Ch. 135 (LP Safety Act) + Rules 0780-02-17. Technical Standard: Tennessee LP-Gas Code (NFPA 58, 2020). Local Cite: FMC Title 7, Ch. 2 - IFC Chapter 61. Construction Documents Trigger: >2,000 gal single or >4,000 gal aggregate water capacity. Balcony Grill Rule: IFC 6104.2 - banned >2.5 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family (1-2 family & sprinklered exempt).

LP-gas dealers operating without an SFMO license under TCA 68-135 and Rules 0780-02-17 face state enforcement, including fines and license revocation. Unsafe residential installations may be tagged out of service by the SFMO or the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office. Installations exceeding 2,000-gallon single / 4,000-gallon aggregate thresholds without submitted construction documents are subject to stop-work and citation under the Tennessee LP-Gas Code and Title 7 of the Franklin Municipal Code. IFC Chapter 61 balcony-grill violations on multi-family properties are enforced by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270).

Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarm requirements in Franklin homes follow Tennessee Code Annotated 68-120-112 (Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings) and the statewide 2018 International Residential Code adopted under TCA 68-120-101. Smoke alarms must be installed in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on each story of the dwelling, in accordance with the IRC and the manufacturer's instructions. The Franklin Fire Department also participates in the State Fire Marshal's Office Get Alarmed, TN! program, providing free 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarm installation to qualifying City of Franklin residents (homes built before 1990 without adequate coverage, deaf/hard-of-hearing residents, or those who cannot afford to purchase alarms). Requests are processed in six to eight weeks; firefighters install on-site.

Key details: State Cite: TCA 68-120-112 (Smoke + CO Alarms in Residential). Technical Standard: 2018 IRC Section R314 (statewide via TCA 68-120-101). Placement: Each sleeping room + outside each sleeping area + each story. Power: Hardwired w/ battery backup (new) OR sealed 10-yr battery. Free Installation: Franklin Fire Dept via Get Alarmed, TN! (6-8 wk wait).

Failure to install or maintain required smoke alarms in a rental dwelling violates TCA 68-120-112 and is enforceable by the State Fire Marshal's Office and locally by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office. Landlords who fail to maintain working alarms face civil liability and may fail HUD or Section 8 inspections. In new construction, missing or non-compliant smoke alarms are a violation of the adopted Tennessee Residential Code (2018 IRC) enforceable through building permit and inspection.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Franklin actively enforces its smoke detectors requirements.

The Bottom Line

Franklin is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Franklin, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Franklin can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.