Franklin, TN Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban scope
- Manufacture, sale, storage, discharge citywide
- Only lawful discharge
- Fire marshal permit under NFPA 1123/1124
- Drought authority
- BOMA may further restrict in water shortage
- Explosives-chapter carve-out
- Fireworks excluded from § 7-217 explosives rules
- Correction window
- 30 working days after notice
Summary
Franklin bans the manufacture, sale and storage of fireworks across the entire city, and discharging them anywhere in city limits is unlawful unless the fire marshal has approved it under the fire code and the applicable NFPA fireworks standards.
Sec. 7-218. - Manufacture, sale, storage and discharge of fireworks, prohibited. (1)The limits referred to in this Code in which the manufacture, sale and storage of fireworks is prohibited, is hereby established as the entire city limits of Franklin.(2)It is unlawful for any person to store and discharge fireworks within the entire city limits of Franklin, except in accordance with the fire code and permitted under the conditions approved by the fire marshal and NFPA 1123-1990, 1124-1988.(3)In the interest of public health and safety, the board of mayor and aldermen may further restrict the storage and/or discharge of fireworks from time to time in conjunction with the declaration of a water shortage and/or dry weather conditions.
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 § 7-218 sets the prohibited limits for fireworks manufacture, sale and storage as the entire city limits of Franklin, no carve-out by zoning district the way bulk propane or petroleum businesses get. Discharge is treated the same way: it is unlawful to store and discharge fireworks anywhere in the city except in accordance with the fire code and under conditions the fire marshal approves, referencing NFPA 1123-1990 (public display fireworks) and NFPA 1124-1988 (manufacture, transport and storage of fireworks). The board of mayor and aldermen can tighten this further at any time, imposing additional storage or discharge restrictions when the city has declared a water shortage or dry-weather condition, stacking a drought-driven layer on top of the standing ban.
The chapter's explosives provisions make clear fireworks are governed entirely by this section rather than the general explosives rules: § 7-217(1)(c) expressly states nothing in the explosives chapter applies to "the sale, possession or use of fireworks," so § 7-218 is the sole local fireworks rule rather than one of several overlapping restrictions. Appeals of a fire marshal decision under this chapter go to the Building & Streets Standards Board of Appeals per the Means of Appeal language at § 7-206.
Violations & Fines
Manufacturing, selling or storing fireworks anywhere in Franklin, or discharging them without fire-marshal approval, violates § 7-218 and is unlawful under the chapter-wide § 7-208. Under § 7-209 the fire official issues a summons, citation or written notice with up to 30 working days to correct the violation before a civil penalty under appendix A, comprehensive fees and penalties, applies; violations the fire official treats as an immediate danger to life or property can bypass that notice period and go straight to a city court summons. The violator is also liable to the city for response costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy fireworks at a store in Franklin?
Can I set off fireworks in my own backyard on the Fourth of July?
Are public fireworks displays allowed anywhere in Franklin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
How Franklin compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Franklin to another location·View the Tennessee fire regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.