Franklin, TN Fire Regulations: Propane Storage (2026)
Key Facts
- Siting rule
- Bulk LP-gas plants limited to commercial/industrial areas
- Technical standard
- Fire code plus NFPA 58 and 59 (1992)
- Sibling restrictions
- Same rule applies to petroleum, LNG, CNG
- Correction window
- 30 working days after notice
- Appeal body
- Building & Streets Standards Board of Appeals
Summary
Franklin will not let anyone establish, build or enlarge a plant or place of business that manufactures, distributes or handles bulk liquefied petroleum gas unless it sits in a commercial or industrial area, and any such site must still meet the fire code and NFPA 58/59 tank standards.
Sec. 7-213. - Bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gases restricted; building, businesses restricted. (1)It is unlawful for any person to establish, erect, construct, or enlarge a plant or place of business where liquiefied petroleum gas or gases are to be manufactured or physically distributed or handled, except in the commercial and industrial areas of the city.(2)Bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gases allowed under above provisions, shall meet requirements of the fire code and NFPA 58 and 59-1992.
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 § 7-213 restricts bulk LP-gas (propane) operations to a location question first: it is unlawful to establish, erect, construct or enlarge a plant or place of business where liquefied petroleum gas is manufactured, distributed or handled anywhere except the city's commercial and industrial areas. Any bulk storage allowed under that zoning restriction must still meet the fire code plus NFPA 58 and 59 (the 1992 LP-gas storage and handling standards) referenced directly in the section. This provision sits alongside three near-identical sibling sections in the same fire code chapter: § 7-212 imposes the same commercial/industrial-area restriction on bulk petroleum products, § 7-214 on liquefied natural gas, and § 7-215 on compressed natural gas, so Franklin applies one consistent siting rule across all of these bulk fuel-gas and liquid businesses rather than singling out propane.
The chapter's definitions section, § 7-201, and its fire code adoption section, § 7-202, incorporate the 2024 International Fire Code by reference with Appendices B, C, D and O, filed for public inspection with the recorder, so a bulk LP-gas operator has to satisfy both this local siting rule and the adopted fire code's technical requirements. A property owner who disputes a fire marshal's siting or permit determination under this chapter can appeal to the Building & Streets Standards Board of Appeals under the Means of Appeal amendment at § 7-206.
Violations & Fines
Operating or building a bulk LP-gas plant or business outside a commercial or industrial area violates § 7-213 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; continuing it past that deadline triggers a civil penalty set in appendix A, comprehensive fees and penalties, and any permit tied to the site is void until corrected. The violator is also liable to the city for the cost of any fire department response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a bulk propane distribution business from a residential lot in Franklin?
What technical standard applies to a permitted LP-gas bulk storage site?
Does Franklin treat propane differently from natural gas or petroleum storage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
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