How Franklin Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide
Franklin maintains 127 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with home business. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Franklin falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Home Daycare
Franklin permits small-scale child care as a home occupation for up to four unrelated children, provided the operator meets Tennessee's Family Child Care Home standards under the city's 2026 zoning ordinance.
Key details: Child cap: 4 unrelated children on-site. State standard: Must meet TN Family Child Care Home rules. Outdoor play: Side or rear yard only. Floor area cap: 25% of home's floor area.
Exceeding the four-child cap or failing to meet the state Family Child Care Home standard violates § 5.2.7.G.1.i; enforcement follows § 22.5's misdemeanor penalty under Title 12's general fine schedule.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Franklin, Tennessee requires home occupations to stay inside the house or an accessory building, cap floor area at 25 percent, and be owner-operated with no more than one outside employee.
Key details: Floor area cap: 25% of principal building. Ownership rule: Owner-operated by resident. Outside employees: Max one non-resident employee. Approval needed: Dept. of Building & Neighborhood Services.
Exceeding the 25% floor-area cap, employing more than one outside worker, or violating other home-occupation standards is a misdemeanor zoning violation, with each day a separate offense.
Signage Rules
Home occupations in Franklin are barred from having any sign or other advertising on the property: the zoning code's home-occupation rules and sign chapter agree: none at all.
Key details: Home business signs: Not permitted at all. Citation: Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G.3.viii. Also barred by: Sign chapter § 15.1.10.C. Effective: January 13, 2026.
Violating the home-occupation or sign standards is a misdemeanor under Section 22.5, fined per Municipal Code Title 12's general penalty clause; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense.
This is one of the stricter rules in Franklin's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Franklin caps most home occupations at two on-site clients or one family at a time; all other customer contact must go through phone, internet, or off-site channels under the city's 2026 zoning ordinance.
Key details: On-site limit: 2 clients or 1 family. Other contact: Phone, internet, or off-site only. Floor area cap: 25% of home's floor area. Employees: Only 1 non-resident employee allowed. Signage: No advertising signs permitted.
Violating a home-occupation standard is a misdemeanor under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 22.5, fined under Title 12's general penalty clause; each day of continued violation counts as a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Franklin's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Franklin is broadly strict or permissive.
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.