How Franklin Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Franklin maintains 104 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. 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.

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. Tree removal on a single-family lot of one acre or less is exempt and does not require a permit.

Key details: Permit Trigger: Commercial / industrial / multi-family (any size) + single-family > 1 acre. Exempt: Single-family residential lots ≤ 1 acre (non-critical lots). Authority: Franklin Zoning Ordinance §§ 17.2, 17.2.9. Review: Planning & Sustainability / City Arborist → Building & Neighborhood Services. Cannot Approve If: Open space, required landscape, retention condition, or specimen tree.

Removing a tree without a required tree removal permit or in violation of an approved development plan is a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by Building & Neighborhood Services. Trees removed in violation may trigger replacement under § 17.2 (tree replacement standards) and contributions to the Tree Bank Fund administered by the Tree Commission. Cutting trees on a neighbor's land exposes the cutter to double (negligent) or triple (intentional) market-value damages under TCA 43-28-312.

Weed Ordinances

Franklin defines 'weeds, grass and plant growth' as 'all grasses, annual plants and vegetation' and prohibits any of it from exceeding twelve (12) inches in height on any premises, including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties. The standard is enforced by Building & Neighborhood Services under Title 13 of the Municipal Code, the International Property Maintenance Code as locally adopted, and the Franklin Zoning Ordinance. There is no separate state-level Tennessee 'noxious weed' list applicable to residential lots — invasive plants are tracked through the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC).

Key details: Max Height: 12 inches — all grasses, annual plants, vegetation. Authority: Municipal Code Titles 12 & 13 + Zoning Ordinance + IPMC. Coverage: All premises + adjacent ROW perimeter of vacant lots. Enforcement: Building & Neighborhood Services — 615-794-7012. Court: Franklin Municipal Court — daily separate offenses.

Building & Neighborhood Services issues a Notice of Violation; failure to abate by the due date results in a Franklin Municipal Court citation, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The City may abate the nuisance (cut/clear) and recover costs from the owner. Repeat or non-responsive properties may be referred to additional code enforcement processes.

Artificial Turf

The City of Franklin does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting or regulating artificial turf on residential lots. Synthetic turf may be installed in rear and side yards without City permits. In front yards or in required landscape areas (under the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 12 Landscape Standards), artificial turf typically does not satisfy 'landscape material' requirements — required plantings, screening areas, and parking-lot interior landscaping must use live plant material per Chapter 12. HOA covenants commonly govern artificial turf on residential lots in Franklin subdivisions and are enforceable independently of City rules.

Key details: City Permit: Not required for residential installation. Authority: Zoning Ordinance Ch. 12 Landscape Standards. Required Landscape Areas: Live plant material — artificial turf generally not accepted. Single-Family Lot: No City restriction on synthetic turf. State Law: TN — no statewide artificial turf rule.

There is no Franklin code violation for installing artificial turf on a private single-family lot outside required landscape areas. Use of artificial turf to satisfy Chapter 12 required landscape material on commercial, multi-family, or development sites would be a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by Building & Neighborhood Services. HOA violations are enforced privately by the HOA, not the City.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Franklin gives residents more flexibility on artificial turf.

Grass Height Limits

Per the City of Franklin's Property Maintenance program (administered by Building & Neighborhood Services), all premises in Franklin — including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties — must be maintained free from weeds, grass and plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height. The standard applies to all grasses, annual plants and vegetation regardless of zoning, and is enforced under the City of Franklin Municipal Code (Title 13 — Property Maintenance Regulations), the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance, and the International Property Maintenance Code as locally adopted.

Key details: Max Height: 12 inches (grass, weeds, plant growth). Authority: Franklin Municipal Code Titles 12 & 13 + Zoning Ordinance + IPMC. Applies To: All premises + perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to ROW or developed properties. Definition: All grasses, annual plants and vegetation. Enforcement: Building & Neighborhood Services — 615-794-7012.

Building & Neighborhood Services issues a Notice of Violation (N.O.V.) with a due date. If the property owner fails to correct by the due date, BNS issues a citation to appear in Franklin Municipal Court. The City states that 'each day that a violation continues is considered a separate offense' and Municipal Court may levy a fine for each. If still uncorrected, the City may force abatement (have the grass cut) and pursue legal action to recover the associated costs against the owner.

Water Restrictions

The City of Franklin Water Management Department operates under a Drought Management Plan approved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). When drought conditions warrant, the Mayor may declare an Emergency Status 1 (or higher) Water Shortage. Under Emergency Status 1, prohibited non-essential uses include: washing sidewalks/driveways/paved areas (except City for public safety); noncommercial vehicle and boat washing; any non-firefighting hydrant use; watering golf courses; and construction dust control or compaction. Landscape watering — if needed — must occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. using handheld devices.

Key details: Utility: City of Franklin Water Management Department (~18,500 customers). Authority: TDEC-approved Drought Management Plan + Mayoral Declaration. Status 1 Prohibits: Paved-area washing, vehicle/boat washing, hydrant use, golf courses, construction dust. Allowed Watering Window: 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. with handheld device. Statewide Schedule: None — TN has no statewide outdoor watering rules.

Violations of an emergency water shortage declaration are enforced by the City of Franklin Water Management Department and Building & Neighborhood Services. The City utility may also issue customer warnings, service modifications, or escalating penalties under the Drought Management Plan tier in effect. Continued non-compliance during declared stages can trigger utility-account enforcement.

Tree Trimming

Franklin is a recognized Tree City USA community operating an Urban Forestry program with an Urban Forestry Superintendent and Supervisor. Tree topping is expressly prohibited in the City of Franklin under Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.4(6)(f). Routine pruning of trees on private single-family lots of one acre or less is not regulated by the City. Trees within the public right-of-way or City-owned land are maintained by the Urban Forestry section of the Parks Department, and pruning of regulated/protected trees must follow industry standard arboricultural practice.

Key details: Topping: Prohibited — Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.4(6)(f). Tree City USA: Franklin — held for approximately 20 years. Authority: Urban Forestry (Parks) + Building & Neighborhood Services. Private Pruning: No City permit for single-family lots ≤ 1 acre. Public/ROW Trees: Maintained by City Urban Forestry section.

Tree topping in violation of Zoning § 5.2.4(6)(f) is enforced through the Zoning Ordinance violation procedures by Building & Neighborhood Services. Improper pruning of a protected/specimen tree, or of a tree subject to a development condition of approval requiring its retention, can trigger replacement requirements under Chapter 17 and tree-bank fund contributions administered through the Tree Commission. Pruning a public/right-of-way tree without authorization may be referred to Urban Forestry (Parks Department).

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and unregulated for residential use throughout Tennessee — including Franklin. There are no volume limits, no permit requirements, and no equipment/inspection requirements at the state level. Tennessee SB 2417 / HB 1850 expressly authorizes green infrastructure practices including rainwater harvesting. Franklin and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) actively encourage harvesting through the Tennessee Permanent Stormwater Management Manual (Chapter 5.4.10 Rainwater Harvesting), which credits rainwater harvesting against post-construction stormwater volume requirements.

Key details: State Law: Legal — TN has no restrictions on rainwater harvesting. Permit: None required at state or City level for residential use. Volume Limits: None. Authorizing Law: TN SB 2417 / HB 1850 (green infrastructure). Technical Manual: TDEC Stormwater Manual § 5.4.10 Rainwater Harvesting.

There are no violations associated with installing or using residential rainwater harvesting systems in Franklin. Issues only arise if a system is plumbed into the potable water supply without an approved backflow prevention device (a Tennessee plumbing-code issue, not a Franklin ordinance issue), or if storage tanks violate accessory-structure size/setback rules in the Zoning Ordinance (typically only relevant for very large above-ground cisterns).

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

Native Plants

Franklin does not require native-plant landscaping, but the Tree Commission maintains a Recommended Tree List that prioritizes species suited to Middle Tennessee, and the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17 (Natural Resources) protects existing native canopy and riparian vegetation along the Harpeth River. The Franklin Zoning Ordinance specifically allows removal of invasive species listed by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC) without a tree removal permit — encouraging replacement of invasives with natives. Tennessee's official state tree is the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), TCA § 4-1-305.

Key details: Mandate: None — natives encouraged, not required, on private lots. Recommended Tree List: Maintained by Franklin Tree Commission. State Tree: Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) — TCA § 4-1-305. Invasive Removal: TN-EPPC-listed species exempt from tree permit (Zoning § 17.2). Riparian Protection: Harpeth River corridor buffers in Zoning Ch. 17.

There is no penalty for choosing or not choosing native plants on private property. Removing TN-EPPC-listed invasives is expressly allowed under Zoning § 17.2 without a tree permit. Damaging riparian vegetation within a regulated Harpeth River buffer, or removing native canopy in violation of an approved tree preservation plan, is enforced under Chapter 17 with replacement obligations and possible Tree Bank Fund contributions.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Franklin gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 8 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.

This guide is based on Franklin's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.