Franklin, TN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Franklin Zoning Ordinance Section 13.2 (Retaining Walls) sets the following limits. Residential uses: 'Front yard: Maximum 2 feet' and 'Side and rear yard: Maximum 6 feet,' with a maximum of three retaining walls per lot. Multifamily, Nonresidential, and Mixed Uses: 'Single wall: 10 feet max' or 'Pair of walls: 8 feet max per wall, with an overall max grade change of 16 feet.' Setbacks are described as 'five feet or the distance equal to the height of the wall, whichever is greater,' with the additional rules: cannot be placed within a public right-of-way, must maintain sight distance at intersections, no location within 6 feet of fire hydrants, and no encroachment into utility easements without written consent. Multifamily, nonresidential, and mixed-use retaining walls require landscaping: 'Each retaining wall shall have a single row of evergreen shrubs, planted every five feet on center,' with a minimum 30-inch height at planting. Materials standards require walls to be finished with 'brick, natural stone, or cultured stone'; for sections not visible from public streets, private streets, internal drives, or open spaces, 'stained or stamped concrete and split-face block are also permitted.' Retaining walls used for stormwater management are exempt from residential/multifamily standards. Under the City-adopted 2018 IRC/IBC (and 2024 editions effective January 1, 2026 per TCA Title 68, Chapter 120 and the City's Adopted Codes page), retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge, require a building permit and engineered design per Tennessee-licensed professional engineer.