Building Setbacks & Zoning in Franklin, TN (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Franklin's R1--Residential 1 District requires a 60-foot front, 25-foot side, and 50-foot rear setback for principal buildings under the 2026 zoning ordinance.
Franklin, TN R1 District Yard Setbacks
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 3.4.5 (R1 District Dimensional Standards, adopted/effective Jan. 13, 2026)
Principal Building Setbacks Minimum Front Yard 60 feet Side Yard 25 feet Rear Yard 50 feet ... For lots in recorded subdivisions, if there are different dimensional standards on the final plat, then those standards on the final plat shall govern. When there are platted front yard setbacks but no side or rear yard setbacks, then 10-foot side and 25-foot rear yard setbacks shall apply
Structure Height Limits
In Franklin's R1 (Residential 1) zoning district, a principal house is capped at 2 1/2 stories under the 2026 Franklin Zoning Ordinance. Accessory structures can't exceed the height of the principal building on the same lot, and minor accessory structures are capped at one story.
Franklin, TN R1 District Height Limit
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 3.4.5 (R1 District Dimensional Standards, adopted/effective Jan. 13, 2026)
3.4.5 Dimensional Standards The following dimensional standards are required: ...Principal Building Setbacks Minimum: Front Yard 60 feet, Side Yard 25 feet, Rear Yard 50 feet...Building Height Maximum: Principal Building 2 1/2 stories; Accessory Structure Shall not exceed the height of the principal building; Minor Accessory Structure 1 Story...Alternate Standards: For lots in recorded subdivis...
Lot Coverage Limits
In Franklin's Downtown District (DD), buildings can cover up to 85 percent of a lot: the Zoning Ordinance's dimensional standards table sets building coverage at a maximum of 85% and drops the minimum landscape surface area requirement to zero, reflecting the district's compact, pedestrian-oriented downtown core rather than a conventional suburban open-space standard.
Franklin, TN Downtown District Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance §§ 3.15.5, 22.5, 23.4 (2026 ordinance, effective Jan. 13, 2026)
3.15.5 Dimensional Standards The following dimensional standards are required: ... Building Coverage Maximum Building coverage 85% Landscape Minimum Landscape Surface 0% Area ... Building Coverage: The gross area of a lot, parcel of land, or building site occupied by all of the ground floor of a building or structure that is under roof. As a percentage, it is the relationship between the gro...
Looking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Williamson County →