Franklin's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Franklin, Tennessee, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Franklin's 2026 zoning ordinance bars removing, harming, or disturbing any specimen tree, a canopy tree 24 inches or greater in diameter, without meeting an approved exemption, permit exception, or arborist-certified root zone review.

Key details: Protected threshold: 24-inch DBH canopy tree. Removal without exemption: prohibited. Root zone disturbance: requires certified arborist review. Enforcing dept: Planning and Sustainability. Permit removal: not available for specimen trees.

Removing or damaging a specimen tree without an exemption is a zoning violation requiring 2:1 caliper-inch replacement; unauthorized construction encroachment into a protected root zone triggers the same mitigation duty and can halt site plan review.

Compared to other cities, Franklin takes a harder line on heritage & protected trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parkway Planting

Franklin's 2026 zoning ordinance requires street trees along both sides of every street and internal drive, planted in tree wells, six-foot planting strips, or bulb-outs.

Key details: Governing section: Zoning Ordinance § 12.8. Coverage: Both sides of every street. Planting strip width: 6 feet minimum. Tree type: Large-maturing canopy species.

Development plans that omit required street trees or use undersized tree wells and planting strips won't clear site plan review by the Department of Planning and Sustainability, delaying or blocking project approval.

The Bottom Line

Franklin's tree protection 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.

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.