Landscaping Rules in Franklin, TN (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Franklin, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Franklin bars property owners and HOAs from letting trees, hedges, or other plant material block sidewalks, sight lines, or otherwise endanger people using the public right-of-way, with the city able to step in and bill for upkeep.
Franklin Street-Tree and Sidewalk Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 16, ch. 1, § 16-102(f)-(g)
(f)Plants shall be maintained in a way that does not obstruct sight distances at intersections of streets or internal drives or driveways, obstruct traffic signs or devices, and/or interfere with the use of sidewalks or pedestrian trails.(g)It shall be unlawful for any property owner or occupant to allow plant material to exist that in any way endangers the health, safety, or welfare of any cit...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Franklin requires two caliper inches of replacement trees for every caliper inch of specimen tree removed, planted within 12 months, with cash payment to the City's tree bank allowed only when on-site replanting space is insufficient.
Franklin, TN Tree Replacement Mitigation
Some RestrictionsFranklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2.5.C.1 (2026 ordinance, eff. 1-13-2026)
Two caliper inches of replacement trees shall be provided for each caliper inch of specimen tree removed. Each replacement tree shall be a minimum of two caliper inches, and shall either be replanted within 12 months of the removal of the specimen tree, or within a timeframe approved by the Department of Planning and Sustainability Department. Performance agreements for the associated replaceme...
Weed Ordinances
Franklin requires every property owner or tenant to periodically cut grass and other weeds, and makes it unlawful to ignore an order from the city recorder, health officer, or police chief to cut vegetation once it exceeds one foot in height (Sec. 13-104). If an owner won't comply, the city can enter after ten days' notice, do the work itself, and place a lien on the property for the cost.
Franklin Weed Height & Cleanup Order Rule
Some RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 13, ch. 1, §§ 13-104, 13-112
Every owner or tenant of property shall periodically cut the grass and other vegetation commonly recognized as weeds on his property, and it shall be unlawful for any person to fail to comply with an order by the city recorder, health officer, or chief of police to cut such vegetation when it has reached a height of over one foot....the city or its agents may, upon ten days notice to the owner ...
Water Restrictions
Lawn watering isn't banned in Franklin by default, but once the mayor declares a Water Shortage Emergency the city can prohibit it outright as a Category 1 nonessential use, along with pool filling and car washing. Status 1 kicks in when the raw water reservoir drops below a 30-day supply at the plant's 2.0 MGD design capacity.
Franklin, TN Water Shortage Watering Ban
Significant RestrictionsFranklin Municipal Code, title 18, ch. 1, § 18-130(4)(a)(v)
(4)Nonessential uses during water shortage emergency.(a)Nonessential Use, Category 1. The following uses are declared to be Nonessential Uses, Category 1:(i)Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios, or other exterior paved areas, except by the City of Franklin for the public safety.(ii)Filling or refilling swimming pool.(iii)Noncommercial washing of privately owned mot...
Looking for Williamson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Williamson County →