Franklin, TN Filming & Production: Location Permits (2026)
Film location permits in Franklin, TN, sometimes called film shoot permits, production permits, or filming authorizations, cover commercial photography, video shoots, and motion picture production.
Key Facts
- Covers
- professional photography on public property
- News exemption
- news gathering, law enforcement, courts
- Permitting office
- City administrator
- Governing sections
- §§ 16-602, 16-603
Summary
Franklin requires a city permit before using public streets or property for professional photography production, though photography for news gathering or law-enforcement investigations is exempt.
Video, film, photography productions shall mean set-up, staging, filming, videotaping, photographing, or any other activity related to the production of motion pictures, film shorts, music or entertainment videos, television presentations, advertising, professional photography, or other commercial materials.
(Ord. No. 2001-47, 12- -2001; Ord. No. 2020-06, § III, 6-9-2020)
Sec. 16-603. - Permit; exceptions. (1)No person shall use any public street, road, alley, right-of-way, public facility or public place owned by the City of Franklin for video, film, or photography production without having first obtained a permit from the city administrator.(2)This chapter shall not apply to filming, videotaping, or photography done for news gathering, for use in criminal investigations by law enforcement agencies or for use in judicial proceedings.(3)A permit application fee shall be required as explained in appendix A, chapter 16 under "video, film, photography permit fees." (Ord. No. 2001-47, 12- -2001; Ord. No. 2020-06, § IV, 6-9-2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Franklin Municipal Code § 16-602 defines "video, film, photography productions" to include professional photography, and § 16-603 requires anyone using a public street, road, alley, right-of-way, facility, or place for such production to first get a permit from the city administrator. The chapter carves out an exception for photography done for news gathering, for law enforcement criminal investigations, or for judicial proceedings, so accredited news photographers don't need a production permit for routine coverage. Commercial and promotional still photography shoots on Franklin's public property remain subject to the permit, application, and insurance requirements of chapter 6.
Violations & Fines
Shooting a commercial still-photography production on Franklin public property without a chapter 16-6 permit is unlawful and can lead to permit denial for future productions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a professional photo shoot on a Franklin street?
Are news photographers exempt from Franklin's filming permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
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