Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Franklin, TN

If you live in Franklin or are thinking about moving there, sidewalk & pedestrian rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Franklin has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sidewalk & pedestrian rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Sidewalk Repair

Franklin, Tennessee's City Charter puts the burden on the abutting property owner: build and repair the sidewalk yourself, or the city does it and charges you for it, backed by a property lien.

Key details: Duty holder: Abutting property owner. Authority: Franklin City Charter, Art. II, §1(35). Owner fails to repair: City repairs, bills owner. Unpaid cost: Becomes lien, billed with taxes.

City completes the repair or construction itself, bills the abutting owner for the cost, and if unpaid attaches a lien to the property collected like property taxes.

Obstruction Rules

Franklin prohibits storing, selling, or displaying goods on public streets, alleys, or sidewalks and bars soliciting from vehicle occupants in the right-of-way, except when the Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorizes a special event.

Key details: Governs: Streets, alleys, sidewalks, rights-of-way. Default rule: No storing or selling on sidewalks. Exception: Board-authorized special event days only. Citation: Franklin Municipal Code § 16-101.

Occupying a public sidewalk, street, or alley to store, sell, or display goods without Board authorization, or soliciting donations from vehicle occupants in the right-of-way, is unlawful and citable.

Encroachment Permits

Franklin requires a permit before occupying or obstructing any street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way with equipment, materials, debris, or excavation work, and violating a permit's terms is separately unlawful.

Key details: Permit required for: equipment, materials, debris, excavation, tunneling. Emergency exception: underground utility work only. Governing section: Franklin Municipal Code § 16-201. Adopted: Ord. No. 2017-44 (3-13-2018).

Occupying, obstructing, or excavating a Franklin street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way without a permit, or violating a permit's terms, is unlawful under § 16-201 and can draw code enforcement citations.

The Bottom Line

Franklin's sidewalk & pedestrian rules 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.

All of the above reflects Franklin's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.