Home Business in Franklin, TN (2026)
6 verified home business rules for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
The Franklin Zoning Ordinance (effective January 13, 2026) regulates home-based businesses as 'Home Occupations' under Title 14 Ch. 5, § 5.2.7.G. Home occupations are permitted by right in residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, MR, ER) but must be conducted by a resident-owner, occupy no more than 25 percent of the principal building's floor area, employ no more than one non-resident, and produce no off-site impacts.
Franklin Home Occupation Zoning
Some RestrictionsSignage Rules
Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G expressly prohibits any signs or other means of advertising on the property of a home occupation. The 'no change in exterior appearance' rule reinforces the prohibition. Yard signs, window signs, monument signs, A-frames, banners, and inflatables advertising a home business are all banned in every residential district.
Franklin Home Business Signage
Heavy RestrictionsCustomer Traffic Restrictions
Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G allows limited on-site customer traffic but caps it tightly: most home occupations may host no more than two individuals or one family on-site at a time, tutoring and swim lessons are limited to two pupils/students per session, and pet grooming is limited to one pet at a time. The activity may not generate detectable off-premises traffic or parking congestion.
Franklin Home Business Customer Traffic
Some RestrictionsCottage Food Operations
The Tennessee Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. § 53-1-118) gives Franklin residents one of the most permissive cottage-food regimes in the country: no state license, no permit, no inspection, no sales cap, and a broad list of allowed foods. Franklin's § 5.2.7.G permits baking and catering as a 'home occupation,' so cottage food production fits squarely within local zoning.
Franklin Home-Based Food Sales
Few RestrictionsHome Daycare
Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G permits in-home care of up to 4 unrelated children as a by-right home occupation. Larger Family Child Care Homes under Tennessee Department of Human Services rules (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.20) may house up to 7 children (or 12 if some are related to the primary educator) and require a state license under T.C.A. § 71-3-501 et seq.
Franklin Family Child Care Home
Some RestrictionsHome Occupation Permits
Franklin does not require a Conditional Use Permit, zoning permit, or special home occupation permit for a compliant home occupation under § 5.2.7.G — operation is by right in all residential districts. Operators must still register for a City of Franklin / Williamson County business license through the city Business Tax Office and pay state and city business taxes under T.C.A. § 67-4-704.
Franklin Home Occupation Permits
Few RestrictionsLooking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
Home Business in Williamson County →