How Franklin Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide

Franklin maintains 104 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 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.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G allows limited on-site customer traffic but caps it tightly: most home occupations may host no more than two individuals or one family on-site at a time, tutoring and swim lessons are limited to two pupils/students per session, and pet grooming is limited to one pet at a time. The activity may not generate detectable off-premises traffic or parking congestion.

Key details: Code Reference: Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G. Most Home Occupations: Max 2 individuals or 1 family on-site at a time. Tutoring: Max 2 pupils at a time. Swim Lessons: Max 2 students at a time. Pet Sitting: Max 2 pets, kept mostly indoors.

Traffic, parking, noise, and customer-count violations are enforced by Building & Neighborhood Services under Title 14 Ch. 22 with notices of violation and civil penalty action through Williamson County court under T.C.A. § 13-7-208. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

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. Yard signs, window signs, monument signs, A-frames, banners, and inflatables advertising a home business are all banned in every residential district.

Key details: Code Section: Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G. On-Property Signage: Prohibited entirely. Exterior Appearance Change: Prohibited. Vehicle Lettering: Permitted on 1 personal/business vehicle. Oversized Commercial Vehicles: Restricted in residential zones.

Sign violations are zoning violations under Title 14 Ch. 22 (Enforcement). Building & Neighborhood Services issues a notice of violation requiring sign removal; continued violations may result in civil penalties through Williamson County court under T.C.A. § 13-7-208, with each day constituting 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.

Cottage Food Operations

The Tennessee Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. § 53-1-118) gives Franklin residents one of the most permissive cottage-food regimes in the country: no state license, no permit, no inspection, no sales cap, and a broad list of allowed foods. Franklin's § 5.2.7.G permits baking and catering as a 'home occupation,' so cottage food production fits squarely within local zoning.

Key details: State Statute: Tennessee Food Freedom Act — T.C.A. § 53-1-118. Sales Cap: None (unlimited). State License: Not required. State Inspection: Not required. Allowed Foods: Baked goods, candy, jams, acidified foods, dairy (post-7/1/2025), eggs, more.

T.C.A. § 53-1-118 violations (selling prohibited foods like meat or fish without inspection, or unlabeled product) trigger TN Department of Agriculture enforcement. Local zoning violations (running a retail storefront from a home, on-site customer queuing) trigger Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services notices under Title 14 Ch. 22 with civil penalties through Williamson County court.

Franklin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to cottage food operations. That said, there are still limits.

Home Occupation Permits

Franklin does not require a Conditional Use Permit, zoning permit, or special home occupation permit for a compliant home occupation under § 5.2.7.G — operation is by right in all residential districts. Operators must still register for a City of Franklin / Williamson County business license through the city Business Tax Office and pay state and city business taxes under T.C.A. § 67-4-704.

Key details: Zoning Permit: Not required — by-right under § 5.2.7.G. Conditional Use Permit: Not required for compliant home occupations. Franklin Business License: Required — Revenue & Tax Office, (615) 791-3217. Minimal Activity License: $15/year if gross receipts under $3,000. Standard Business License: $15 + business tax if gross receipts $100,000+.

Operating without a city business license is a violation of T.C.A. § 67-4-723 punishable by fines and back-taxes with interest. Zoning violations (exceeding § 5.2.7.G standards) are enforced by Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services under Title 14 Ch. 22 with civil penalty action through Williamson County court under T.C.A. § 13-7-208.

Franklin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home occupation permits. That said, there are still limits.

Zoning Restrictions

The Franklin Zoning Ordinance (effective January 13, 2026) regulates home-based businesses as 'Home Occupations' under Title 14 Ch. 5, § 5.2.7.G. Home occupations are permitted by right in residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, MR, ER) but must be conducted by a resident-owner, occupy no more than 25 percent of the principal building's floor area, employ no more than one non-resident, and produce no off-site impacts.

Key details: Code Reference: Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G (Title 14). Permitted Zones: R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, MR, ER and other residential districts. Max Floor Area Used: 25% of principal building (or within accessory building). Non-Resident Employees: 1 maximum. On-Site Customers/Students: 2 max (tutoring, swim lessons, photography).

Title 14 enforcement under Ch. 22 (Enforcement) — Building & Neighborhood Services issues a zoning violation notice and may seek injunctive relief and civil penalties through Williamson County court. Per Franklin Municipal Code Title 14, Ch. 22 § 22.4, each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense subject to the maximum penalty allowed under Tennessee law.

Home Daycare

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G permits in-home care of up to 4 unrelated children as a by-right home occupation. Larger Family Child Care Homes under Tennessee Department of Human Services rules (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.20) may house up to 7 children (or 12 if some are related to the primary educator) and require a state license under T.C.A. § 71-3-501 et seq.

Key details: Local Zoning (≤4 unrelated children): By-right home occupation — Franklin Zoning Ord. § 5.2.7.G. Family Child Care Home Cap: 7 children at one time (12 if some related to educator). State Licensing Statute: T.C.A. § 71-3-501 et seq.. State Regulation: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.20. Educator Ratios: 1 educator for ≤7 children with ≤4 infants; scales up.

Operating an unlicensed child care agency above the small-scale threshold is a Class A misdemeanor under T.C.A. § 71-3-507. Local zoning violations (operating a Group Child Care Home without the required site standards) trigger Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services notices under Title 14 Ch. 22 with civil penalties under T.C.A. § 13-7-208.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Franklin gives residents more room on home business. 2 of the 6 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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.