Home Business in Franklin, TN (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Franklin, Tennessee requires home occupations to stay inside the house or an accessory building, cap floor area at 25 percent, and be owner-operated with no more than one outside employee.
Franklin Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G.3.a, iii–iv (adopted & effective Jan. 13, 2026)
Home occupations shall: a. Be located entirely within the principal building and not exceed 25 percent of the total floor area of the principal building, or as an alternative, be located entirely within an accessory building... iii. Be owned and operated by the person residing in the principal building; iv. Employ no more than one person on the premises who does not reside on the premises;
Signage Rules
Home occupations in Franklin are barred from having any sign or other advertising on the property: the zoning code's home-occupation rules and sign chapter agree: none at all.
Franklin Home Occupation Sign Ban
Heavy RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G.3.viii (2026 ordinance, effective Jan. 13, 2026)
3. Home occupations shall: a. Be located entirely within the principal building and not exceed 25 percent of the total floor area of the principal building, or as an alternative, be located entirely within an accessory building, with the following exceptions: i. Photography services may occur outdoors on lots of two acres or more, or on smaller lots when the area used for photography services ...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Franklin caps most home occupations at two on-site clients or one family at a time; all other customer contact must go through phone, internet, or off-site channels under the city's 2026 zoning ordinance.
Franklin Home Occupation Client Limits
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G.1.a (eff. 1-13-2026)
Artistic and creative professions, such as artist, author, baker, caterer, event planner, graphic designer, interior designer, recording artist, sewist, songwriter, tailor, or like profession, where business conducted shall be limited to up to two individuals or one family on-site at a time. All other client and business contact shall be via phone/internet or off-site; b. Counseling services th...
Home Daycare
Franklin permits small-scale child care as a home occupation for up to four unrelated children, provided the operator meets Tennessee's Family Child Care Home standards under the city's 2026 zoning ordinance.
Franklin Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G.1.i (eff. 1-13-2026)
Small-scale child care that does not provide care for more than four children not related to the resident who is operating the business and meets the standards for a Family Child Care Home, as regulated by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services; j. Swim lessons that provide instruction to no more than two students at a time or the total number of students from a single family at...
Looking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
Home Business in Williamson County →