Backyard fires in Franklin fall into three categories under Title 7, Chapter 2 (Fire Code) of the Franklin Municipal Code, which adopts the 2024 IFC: (1) above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits - allowed without a permit; (2) campfires and bonfires not in an above-ground appliance - require a burn permit from the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office and are approved only in recreational settings, subject to inspection; (3) open burning of brush, yard waste, or trash - prohibited inside city limits regardless of containment. The IFC's recreational-fire standards (Section 307) require attendance by an adult with an extinguishment means and minimum setbacks from structures and combustibles; the Franklin Fire Marshal applies these to permitted campfires and bonfires.
Franklin's backyard-fire rules are administered by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270) under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code, which adopts the 2024 International Fire Code and the 2024 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Three categories apply: (1) Above-ground appliances - including manufactured fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits - are allowed for recreational use without a burn permit. Best practice (and the IFC Section 307.4.2 portable-outdoor-fireplace standard) is a minimum 15-ft clearance to structures and combustibles, attendance by an adult with extinguishment means, and only seasoned firewood (no trash, treated lumber, or plastics). (2) Campfires and bonfires not contained in an above-ground appliance require a burn permit issued by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office. Permits are approved only for recreational settings - not for burning trash or yard waste - and are subject to inspection. The IFC Section 307.4.1 recreational-fire standard limits fuel area to 3 ft in diameter by 2 ft in height with a 25-ft setback from structures and combustibles, attended by an adult with an extinguishment means; the IFC Section 307.4 'bonfire' (larger than recreational) standard requires 50-ft setbacks, fire-code-official approval, and continuous adult supervision. (3) Open burning of brush, yard waste, or household trash is prohibited inside Franklin city limits regardless of containment; the City directs residents to free weekly curbside yard waste pickup through Solid Waste (615-794-1516). Fuel for any permitted fire must be seasoned natural wood; burning treated lumber, painted wood, plastics, tires, construction debris, or household garbage is separately prohibited under Tennessee Air Pollution Control Regulations (TDEC Rule 1200-03-04).
Backyard fires that violate Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code or the adopted 2024 IFC are enforced by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office (615-791-3270). Suppression units may be dispatched to extinguish unlawful or uncontrolled fires; unattended fires, oversize fires, fires too close to structures, fires burning prohibited materials, or unpermitted bonfires/campfires may be ordered extinguished and cited under the Municipal Code's penalty provisions.
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