Outdoor Lighting in Franklin, TN (2026)

Dark Sky Rules

The City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance includes a dedicated Lighting chapter (Chapter 13 in the current Zoning Ordinance) that applies to commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, and institutional site lighting. Maximum illumination abutting a residential property line is 0 foot-candles, the cap on other property lines is 2 foot-candles, parking-area lighting is 0.2 fc minimum to 10 fc maximum, and fixtures must use cutoff shielding so that light does not project beyond an angle of 35 degrees from a vertical plane. Building-mounted lights must be ornamental sconces, cutoff fixtures, or other fixtures screened by architectural features; prismatic/acrylic globes as the sole shielding are prohibited. Fixture heights are capped at 30 ft generally and 20 ft within 50 ft of a residential lot. Franklin is not on DarkSky International's roster of certified lighting codes. Single-family residential lights are not subject to the engineered glare standards but remain subject to nuisance review.