A Resident's Guide to Franklin's Local Ordinances

Franklin, Tennessee may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 104 tracked ordinances across 23 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Amplified music in Franklin is regulated by Title 11, Ch. 4 (Sec.

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Franklin for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: Registering a short-term vacation rental in Franklin is a multi-step process administered by the Building and Neighborhood Services Department (109 3rd Avenue South, 615-791-3217) in coordination with the Franklin Finance Department, the Williamson County Business Tax Department, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Required steps: (1) confirm zoning eligibility and owner-occupancy where applicable; (2) submit STVR use-permit application to Building and Neighborhood Services; (3) pass compliance inspection covering life-safety, parking, septic where applicable, and insurance verification; (4) receive 12-month compliance certificate (annually renewable); (5) obtain $15 city business license; (6) register for City of Franklin 4% hotel-motel tax under Title 5; (7) register with Williamson County Business Tax Department for 4% county hotel-motel tax (615-790-5732); (8) register with Tennessee Department of Revenue for 7% state sales tax and 1.5% state privilege tax..

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate), Night Caps (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Franklin for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: The City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance includes a dedicated Lighting chapter (Chapter 13 in the current Zoning Ordinance) that applies to commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, and institutional site lighting. Maximum illumination abutting a residential property line is 0 foot-candles, the cap on other property lines is 2 foot-candles, parking-area lighting is 0.2 fc minimum to 10 fc maximum, and fixtures must use cutoff shielding so that light does not project beyond an angle of 35 degrees from a vertical plane.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Abandoned vehicles in Franklin are governed primarily by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55, Chapter 16 (Abandoned, Immobile or Unattended Vehicles). Under TCA 55-16-105, after a vehicle is taken into custody, the police department must send written notice to the owner and any lienholder, who have ten days from the date of the notice to reclaim the vehicle on payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Franklin for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: Franklin does not publish an HVAC-specific noise rule. Residential and commercial HVAC equipment (heat pumps, condensers, pool heaters, rooftop units, generators) falls under the general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Title 11, Ch.

Fire Regulations

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.

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Wildfire Zones (permissive), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Franklin for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not authorize keeping wild or exotic animals as personal pets within the corporate limits. Exotic-animal possession is governed at the state level by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 4 (Exotic Animals, TCA 70-4-401 through 70-4-418) and the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at 1660-01-18, which classify wildlife into Class I (inherently dangerous - prohibited as personal pets), Class II (native wildlife - TWRA permit required), Class III (no permit required), Class IV (white-tailed deer / black bear / wild turkey - only zoos/rehabbers), and Class V (special permit only)..

Also covered: Breed Restrictions (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Franklin for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Residential pool barriers in Franklin must comply with the City-adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) - the 2018 edition for plans submitted before January 1, 2026, and the 2024 edition (adopted by Ordinance 2025-37) for plans submitted on or after that date. Under ISPSC Section 305, the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate (or located on the pool side with restricted nearby openings)..

Also covered: Approved Materials (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Franklin for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Franklin pool barriers are governed by Section 305 of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted by the City (2018 ISPSC for plans pre-1/1/2026, 2024 ISPSC via Ordinance 2025-37 thereafter). The barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate.

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Pool Permits (strict), Hot Tub Rules (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Franklin for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Per the Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2 (Tree Protection) and § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), existing trees on a lot or development site may not be removed unless removal is authorized by an approved development plan, site plan, preliminary plat, building permit, grading permit, or a tree removal permit. A tree removal permit is required for commercial, industrial, or multi-family lots of any size, and for single-family lots larger than one (1) acre.

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Artificial Turf (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Franklin for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G expressly prohibits any signs or other means of advertising on the property of a home occupation. The 'no change in exterior appearance' rule reinforces the prohibition.

Also covered: Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Home Occupation Permits (permissive). See the full home business guide for Franklin for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), a tree removal permit must be obtained from Building & Neighborhood Services before removing trees on commercial, industrial, or multi-family lots of any size, or on single-family lots larger than one (1) acre. Applications are reviewed by the Department of Planning & Sustainability and/or the City Arborist, who make a recommendation to BNS.

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (strict), Tree Replacement Requirements (strict), Tree Ordinances (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Franklin for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Bamboo Restrictions: The City of Franklin does not have a bamboo-specific ordinance, and Tennessee does not designate bamboo on the state pest plant rule administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. However, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture publicly states it receives more complaints about invasive bamboo than any other plant because running bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa spp.) spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes that can damage foundations, driveways, and pools.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Tennessee does NOT have a strong statewide solar-rights statute that overrides HOA restrictions — a sharp contrast with Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. The Tennessee Solar Access Law of 1979 (T.C.A.

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Franklin for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Operating a food truck in Franklin requires a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from Building & Neighborhood Services (BNS), governed by Title 9 Chapter 11 (Mobile Food Vending) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Franklin's adopted ordinance (Aug.

Also covered: Vending Zones (strict). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Franklin for details.

Accessory Structures

Carport Rules: Carports in Franklin are accessory structures under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.3 (or § 5.2.4 Minor Accessory Structure if ≤200 sq ft). Carports must sit behind the front facade of the principal building, meet the underlying zoning district's setback and height standards, and (when 200 sq ft or larger) require a building permit from Building & Neighborhood Services with engineered wind-uplift anchorage..

Also covered: ADU Rules (moderate), Shed Rules (permissive), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Franklin for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cultivation of marijuana is PROHIBITED in Franklin and across Tennessee. Tennessee has no recreational marijuana program and no commercial medical marijuana program.

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Franklin for details.

Property Maintenance

Garage Sale Rules: Franklin requires a $5 yard-sale permit from Billing & Licensing for any sale conducted inside city limits. Each dwelling is limited to a maximum of four (4) yard sales per year, each up to two consecutive days during daylight hours only.

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Property Blight (moderate), Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Franklin for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: Franklin's rollout containers, yard waste, brush, and other refuse must be placed at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the day BEFORE collection and no later than 7:00 AM on the scheduled day of collection. The opening lid of the rollout container must face the street so the automated side-arm truck can lift and dump the cart.

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Franklin for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Franklin requires a $5 yard-sale permit through Billing & Licensing, with a maximum of four sales per dwelling per year, two consecutive days each, daylight only. Signs are not allowed in any public right-of-way and may not be posted, attached, nailed, or stapled to any utility or light pole, traffic sign, street sign, or median.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Franklin for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Franklin participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is regulated by the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Williamson County. Updated FIRMs were approved by the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission on December 2, 2024 and ratified by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) before the federal deadline.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Grading & Drainage (strict), Erosion Control (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Franklin for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Franklin residential setbacks are set in Chapter 3 of the Franklin Zoning Ordinance (effective Jan. 13, 2026).

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Federal law (FAA Part 107 for commercial; 49 U.S.C. § 44809 for recreational) governs the airspace over Franklin — the City cannot regulate altitude or flight paths.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Franklin, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Franklin's city hall or code enforcement office.