Animal Ordinances in Franklin, TN (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
The City of Franklin Municipal Code Title 10 (Animal Control), as restated by Ordinance 2011-16, makes it unlawful for any person owning chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other domestic fowl, cattle, or livestock to knowingly or negligently permit them to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot within the corporate limits. Backyard hens are allowed on residential properties subject to the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance and the City's animal-husbandry guidance, which prohibits roosters and requires coops to be maintained to prevent nuisances. Outside city limits in unincorporated Williamson County (except the Grassland Village (GV), Leiper's Fork Village (LFV), and Triune Village (TV) overlay districts), poultry and broader agricultural use is generally permitted under the Williamson County Zoning Ordinance, subject to HOA and deed restrictions.
Franklin Chickens & Poultry (Title 10 Animal Control + Zoning Ordinance)
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Animal Control) prohibits dogs from running at large within the corporate city limits. State law reinforces this: Tennessee Code Annotated Section 44-8-408 (Dogs not allowed at large) makes it an offense for a dog owner to allow the dog to run at large in a populated area or upon another person's property. Animal control services for Franklin are provided by Williamson County Animal Control (615-790-5590), operating out of the Williamson County Animal Center at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court in Franklin.
Franklin Dog Leash & Running-At-Large Rules (Title 10 + TCA 44-8-408)
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
The City of Franklin does not have a breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other commonly-restricted breeds are legal to own in Franklin. Tennessee currently has no statewide preemption of breed-specific legislation - cities and counties retain home-rule authority to enact local BSL under Title 6, but Franklin and Williamson County have chosen not to do so. Dangerous-dog issues are handled on an individual, conduct-based basis under Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code and Tennessee state law (TCA 44-8-413 strict liability for dogs at large; TCA 39-17-1363 'vicious dog' criminal offense after a serious injury or kill).
Franklin Breed Restrictions (No City BSL; Conduct-Based Vicious-Dog Rule)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not contain a beekeeping-specific ordinance. Beekeeping in Franklin is governed by the Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 (TCA 44-15-101 through 44-15-122), administered by the State Apiarist within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). All beekeepers in Tennessee must register their apiaries with TDA at no charge, and re-register every three (3) years. Hives are inspected by the State Apiarist for American foulbrood and other diseases. Franklin's broader policy encourages pollinator-friendly practices in line with its Planning & Sustainability Department's pollinator initiatives.
Franklin Beekeeping (Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 - TCA 44-15)
Few RestrictionsExotic Pets
The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not authorize keeping wild or exotic animals as personal pets within the corporate limits. Exotic-animal possession is governed at the state level by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 4 (Exotic Animals, TCA 70-4-401 through 70-4-418) and the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at 1660-01-18, which classify wildlife into Class I (inherently dangerous - prohibited as personal pets), Class II (native wildlife - TWRA permit required), Class III (no permit required), Class IV (white-tailed deer / black bear / wild turkey - only zoos/rehabbers), and Class V (special permit only).
Franklin Exotic Pets (TCA 70-4 Part 4 - TWRA Classes I/II/III/IV/V)
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not include a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but state-level Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) rules apply citywide. Williamson County is currently inside the TWRA Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Unit / Surveillance Zone for west Middle Tennessee, which triggers a year-round prohibition on feeding deer and a ban on the use of any grain, salt, mineral, or other attractant within the county for the purpose of taking, congregating, or attracting wildlife. Bird feeders within the curtilage of the residence (immediate yard) remain permissible.
Franklin Wildlife Feeding (TWRA Rules + Chronic Wasting Disease Restrictions)
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Animal Control), restated by Ordinance 2011-16, makes it unlawful to allow cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or domestic fowl to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot in the corporate city limits. Larger livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine) is not authorized on standard city residential lots; agricultural-scale livestock keeping is only permitted in the AG (Agricultural) zoning district, which is intended for farming and single-family residential on significant acreage. Outside city limits, the Williamson County Zoning Ordinance generally permits agricultural use except in the Grassland Village (GV), Leiper's Fork Village (LFV), and Triune Village (TV) overlay districts.
Franklin Livestock (Title 10 + Zoning - Limited to AG District in City)
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Williamson County →