Building Safety in Franklin, TN (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Franklin requires an automatic fire sprinkler system in any new or renovated building of 5,000 square feet or more, and in every educational or institutional building regardless of size, while exempting one- and two-family dwellings outright.
Franklin Automatic Fire Sprinkler Requirement
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 7, ch. 2, § 7-232
Sec. 7-232. - Automatic fire sprinkler system. (1)An approved automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided for all new and renovated buildings of 5,000 square feet of gross floor area or more. All new or renovated educational or institutional occupancies shall be provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system regardless of the gross floor area limit. One and two family dwellings are exem...
Green Building Code
Franklin's local answer to a green building code is its adopted 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, which sets efficiency requirements for insulation, HVAC, water heating, and lighting in new buildings and additions citywide.
Franklin Energy Conservation Code
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 12, ch. 6, § 12-601
the International Energy Conservation Code, 2024 edition, as prepared and published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as a part of this Code, and is hereinafter referred to as the energy conservation code.(2)Pursuant to authority granted by Tennessee Code Annotated, § 6-54-502(c), the building and neighborhood services director shall adopt admini...
Building Permits
Franklin requires a permit before starting any work on a building, structure, or its electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems; starting without one draws a fee-schedule penalty.
Franklin Building Permit Required
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 12, ch. 1, § 12-102(3)
Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a penalty as specified in Appendix A of the City of Franklin Municipal Code, Comprehensive Fees and Penalties. (4)Section 109.7, Reinspection Fee, is created and approved to read as follows: If in the opinion of the Building Of...
Electrical Permits
Franklin adopts the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition, by reference for every electrical installation in the city, and Sec. 12-304 bars any electrical work until the State of Tennessee has issued a permit. Minor repairs that don't add new wiring, conduit, or devices are exempt. The Building and Neighborhood Services Department's electrical inspector enforces the code and can discontinue service to noncompliant work.
Franklin Electrical Permit & 2023 NEC Adoption
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 12, ch. 3, § 12-301(1)-(2)
(1)Pursuant to authority granted by Tennessee Code Annotated, §§ 6-54-501 through 6-54-506, and for the purpose of providing practical minimum standards for the safeguarding of persons and of buildings and their contents from hazards arising from the use of electricity for light, heat, power, radio, signaling, or for other purposes, the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition, as prepared by the...
Plumbing Permits
Franklin, Tennessee runs plumbing work under the 2024 International Plumbing Code, adopted by Franklin Municipal Code § 12-201, with the Building and Neighborhood Services Department administering permits under the Building Official's authority. Section 12-202 requires a permit fee at application approval, lets the department charge a reinspection fee when work fails inspection, and routes appeals to the Building and Streets Standards Board of Appeals rather than to court.
Franklin, TN Plumbing Code & Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 12, ch. 2, § 12-201
(1)Pursuant to authority granted by Tennessee Code Annotated, §§ 6-54-50 I et seq., and for the purpose of regulating plumbing installations, including alterations, repairs, equipment, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and the appurtenances thereto, within or without the municipality, when such plumbing is or is to be connected with the municipal water or sewerage system, the International Plumbi...
Building Inspections
Franklin, Tennessee requires a certificate of use and occupancy before anyone occupies a building, structure, or parcel that was constructed, expanded, renovated, or has a change of use. Franklin Municipal Code § 12-105 conditions that certificate on passing every required building, zoning, fire, streets, stormwater, and landscaping inspection, and the Building and Neighborhood Services Department can issue a 30-day temporary certificate for projects that aren't fully finished.
Franklin, TN Certificate of Occupancy Rule
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 12, ch. 1, § 12-105
(1)Certificate of use and occupancy required. It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy or use a building or structure, part of a building or structure, or parcel of land prior to the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy. The issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy shall be a prerequisite to the occupation, reoccupation, or use of a building, structure, or parcel of land wh...
Looking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
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