Moving to Franklin, TN?

Franklin's general noise rule lives in Title 11 (Municipal Offenses), Chapter 4 (Offenses Against the Peace and Quiet) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Section 11-402 prohibits any noise that 'annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others,' and the City has publicly stated that amplification equipment and live bands must be at a 'reasonable level, especially between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.'

Franklin allows construction Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., or outside that window by special permit. Construction performed outside those hours without authorization can be enforced as 'unnecessary noise' under Title 11, Ch. 4, Sec. 11-402 of the Franklin Municipal Code.

Barking-dog and other animal-noise complaints in Franklin are enforced under Title 10 (Animal Control) of the Franklin Municipal Code, with the general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Sec. 11-402 as backstop. Animal Control field response in Franklin is handled by the Williamson County Animal Center (1006 Grigsby Hayes Court, Franklin) at 615-790-5590.

The City of Franklin does not publish a leaf-blower-specific ordinance. Use of gas-powered and electric leaf blowers is governed by the general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Title 11, Ch. 4, Sec. 11-402 of the Franklin Municipal Code; there is no codified day-of-week or hour-of-day cap and no decibel limit for residential lawn equipment.

Amplified music in Franklin is regulated by Title 11, Ch. 4 (Sec. 11-402 / 11-403) and, for public-space events, by the Title 16 Public Gathering and Expression Event ordinance. Amplification is allowed only between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., must not be audible 50 feet from the device without a permit, and the City does NOT grant permits in the downtown historic district on weekend evenings/early mornings (Friday 5 p.m. - Saturday 7 a.m. and Saturday 5 p.m. - Sunday 7 a.m.).

Outdoor music at Franklin venues - downtown Public Square, Harlinsdale Farm, Carnton, and any City-owned property or public right-of-way - is regulated by the Title 16, Ch. 5 Special Event / Public Gathering and Expression Event ordinance. Permits are required for events with amplification, events with more than 20 attendees, or events recurring more than once per month. Amplification is restricted to 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., and the City does not grant permits in the downtown historic district on weekend evenings/early mornings.

Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration. The City of Franklin does not operate an airport and does not regulate aircraft noise; the nearest airports are Nashville International (BNA) approximately 30 minutes north and the smaller John C. Tune Airport (JWN/KJWN) in west Nashville. Both are owned and operated by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA).

Industrial and commercial noise from Franklin's office and light-industrial corridors - including the Cool Springs corporate park (home to Mars Petcare US, Nissan North America's former HQ, Community Health Systems, and others), Aspen Grove, and the McEwen development - is regulated through the Franklin Zoning Ordinance's district performance standards rather than a separate dBA cap in Title 11. The general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Sec. 11-402 still applies when industrial noise crosses into adjacent residential zones.

Franklin's noise ordinance does NOT publish a property-line dBA cap by zoning district. The only hard, measurable numeric thresholds tied to Franklin enforcement are (a) the Title 16 Ch. 5 public-event rule that amplified sound cannot be heard 50 feet from the device without a permit, and (b) the state-law TCA 55-8-193 prohibition on vehicle sound systems 'plainly audible from 50 or more feet away.' Sec. 11-402 / 11-403 otherwise operates on a reasonableness ('annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers') standard.

Franklin's short-term vacation rental program does not impose a flat citywide guest headcount but caps occupancy through three intersecting standards verified at compliance inspection: the bedroom count of the dwelling as legally permitted (no marketing of non-bedroom rooms as sleeping space), septic-system capacity where applicable, and life-safety equipment (smoke detectors in each bedroom and on each floor, fire extinguishers, and code-conforming egress from each rented bedroom). Only one STVR is permitted per lot - operators cannot subdivide a parcel into multiple separately-permitted STVRs. The compliance certificate states the property's maximum permitted occupancy; exceeding it is a use-permit condition violation that can trigger non-renewal and, for non-owner-occupied legacy STVRs under TCA 13-7-603, counts toward the three-strike legacy-termination threshold.

Franklin requires proof of insurance as a condition of the short-term vacation rental compliance certificate; the operator must provide documentation of property and liability insurance covering the STVR activity to the Building and Neighborhood Services Department at initial permitting and annual renewal. Franklin does not publish a specific minimum dollar amount in its STVR ordinance (unlike Nashville's framework or some other Tennessee jurisdictions), but the policy must demonstrably cover paid short-term rental activity - which means a standard ISO HO-3 homeowner's policy without a home-sharing or short-term-rental endorsement will not satisfy the requirement because the policy's business-pursuits exclusion voids coverage for paid rental. Industry-standard practice for Franklin operators is a $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 commercial STR liability policy or a dedicated STR endorsement on the homeowner's policy. Platform host-protection programs (Airbnb AirCover, VRBO Liability Insurance) are typically treated as supplemental, not primary.

Franklin does not impose a fixed annual cap on the number of nights a licensed short-term vacation rental may host. There is no '90-day,' '120-day,' '113-day,' or '180-day' booking limit codified in the Franklin Zoning Ordinance or the STVR compliance program. A property with a current use permit and 12-month compliance certificate may book up to 365 nights per year provided the operator continues to satisfy the owner-occupancy rule (for new residential-zone permits issued after December 2019), the one-STVR-per-lot rule, occupancy/parking/insurance/septic conditions, citywide tax obligations, and the no-violation backstop. Scale is controlled instead through (1) the owner-occupancy requirement that anchors the operator to the property, (2) the categorical one-STVR-per-lot rule, (3) annual compliance-certificate renewal, and (4) the TCA 13-7-603(a)(3) three-strike rule that terminates legacy non-owner-occupied protection on three local-law violations.

Franklin's short-term vacation rental compliance program requires adequate off-street parking for all guest vehicles as a condition of the use permit and the 12-month compliance certificate; the standard is verified by Building and Neighborhood Services compliance inspectors at the time the permit is issued and at annual renewal. Franklin does not publish a specific per-bedroom off-street parking ratio in its zoning ordinance for STVRs (unlike some other Middle Tennessee jurisdictions); instead, the inspector confirms that the property has enough on-site parking to accommodate the maximum guest occupancy without forcing guests to spill onto neighborhood streets. Guests are subject to citywide on-street parking restrictions; persistent guest-parking complaints can be cited at certificate renewal and count toward the three-strike legacy-termination threshold under TCA 13-7-603(a)(3) for non-owner-occupied legacy STVRs.

Registering a short-term vacation rental in Franklin is a multi-step process administered by the Building and Neighborhood Services Department (109 3rd Avenue South, 615-791-3217) in coordination with the Franklin Finance Department, the Williamson County Business Tax Department, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Required steps: (1) confirm zoning eligibility and owner-occupancy where applicable; (2) submit STVR use-permit application to Building and Neighborhood Services; (3) pass compliance inspection covering life-safety, parking, septic where applicable, and insurance verification; (4) receive 12-month compliance certificate (annually renewable); (5) obtain $15 city business license; (6) register for City of Franklin 4% hotel-motel tax under Title 5; (7) register with Williamson County Business Tax Department for 4% county hotel-motel tax (615-790-5732); (8) register with Tennessee Department of Revenue for 7% state sales tax and 1.5% state privilege tax.

Short-term vacation rentals in Franklin TN collect a four-layer tax stack on every reservation of fewer than 30 continuous days: 7% Tennessee state sales tax under TCA 67-6-202, 1.5% Tennessee state hotel/motel privilege tax, 4% Williamson County hotel/motel occupancy tax administered by the Williamson County Business Tax Department (615-790-5732), and 4% City of Franklin hotel-motel tax under Title 5 of the Franklin Municipal Code, for a combined approximate burden of 16.5% on each STVR stay. Operators also pay a $15 city business license registration fee per property. Marketplace facilitators (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com) are required under Tennessee law (effective January 1, 2021) to collect and remit the state sales tax, state privilege tax, and local hotel-motel tax on platform-booked stays directly to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, which then disburses local-tax revenues to Franklin and Williamson County. Direct (off-platform) bookings remain the operator's full responsibility.

Operating a short-term vacation rental (STVR) inside the City of Franklin requires a use permit issued under the Franklin Zoning Ordinance administered by the Building and Neighborhood Services Department (109 3rd Avenue South, 615-791-3217). Franklin's current framework allows only owner-occupied STVRs in residential zoning districts for any new permit issued after the Board of Mayor and Aldermen's December 2019 ordinance, which banned non-owner-occupied short-term rentals citywide as a residential-use protection. Only one STVR is permitted per lot. Legacy non-owner-occupied STVRs that were legally permitted and operating before the ordinance's effective date are protected by the Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act (TCA 13-7-602 to 13-7-606), but that grandfathering ends if the property is sold, transferred outside family, ceases STVR use for 30 continuous months, or accumulates three or more violations of generally applicable local laws.

Franklin's December 2019 ordinance effectively imposed a strong host-presence requirement on new short-term vacation rentals in residential zoning districts: the dwelling must be owner-occupied, meaning the homeowner must reside at the property. This is among the strictest host-presence frameworks in Middle Tennessee - it does not merely require a local contact, an in-state agent, or hosted operation during stays; it requires the operator to live at the dwelling as their residence. The rule does not apply to legacy non-owner-occupied STVRs that were permitted and operating before the December 2019 effective date and that remain protected under the Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act at TCA 13-7-603, but those legacy operators are a fixed and shrinking inventory (no new ones are permitted, and existing ones lose protection on sale or non-family transfer).

Franklin does not codify a separate decibel table or quiet-hours schedule that applies only to short-term vacation rentals; STVR guests are subject to the citywide general noise prohibition in the Franklin Municipal Code (Title 11 General Offenses) and to the disturbing-the-peace standards enforced by the Franklin Police Department. The functional teeth on STVR noise come from two parallel mechanisms: (1) the use-permit compliance condition that requires the operator to manage guest behavior and respond promptly to complaints, and (2) the Tennessee Short-Term Rental Unit Act provision at TCA 13-7-603 that strips legacy grandfather protection from any STVR that accumulates three or more violations of generally applicable local laws - which includes noise citations. Operators should post 10 p.m.-7 a.m. quiet hours in house rules and use noise-monitoring devices to avoid the three-strike risk.

Franklin's December 2019 STVR ordinance effectively imposes a primary-residence-only restriction on all new short-term vacation rentals in residential zoning districts: the homeowner must reside at the dwelling, which functionally limits eligibility to the operator's primary or principal residence. Investment properties, second homes, vacation properties not used as a primary residence, and LLC-owned dwellings without a resident owner are all ineligible for new STVR permits in residential zones. Only one STVR is permitted per lot, preventing portfolio scaling on a single parcel. Legacy non-owner-occupied STVRs that pre-date the December 2019 ordinance remain protected under TCA 13-7-603 as long as they remain in compliance and do not trigger termination (sale to non-family, 30-month operational gap, three local-law violations). This framework places Franklin among the strictest primary-residence-only markets in the South, comparable to Boston, Denver, and San Francisco.

Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations) of the Franklin Municipal Code requires every property owner or tenant to periodically cut grass and weeds and keep the property free of accumulated brush and debris. Burning brush is prohibited inside Franklin city limits; instead, the City of Franklin Sanitation and Environmental Services / Solid Waste Department (615-794-1516) collects yard waste and brush curbside from homeowners weekly at no additional charge. Grass clippings and small ground waste must be placed in brown biodegradable paper bags; larger limbs and clippings may be set out loose at the curb. Owners cited for overgrown vegetation are typically given a written notice and a 10-day window to remedy before the City may abate at the owner's expense.

The City of Franklin has prohibited the sale and use of consumer fireworks since 1999 by ordinance adopted under Title 7 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Sky lanterns are also prohibited statewide. Tennessee Code Annotated 68-104-116 expressly authorizes municipalities to regulate, restrict, or totally prohibit the sale and use of fireworks within their corporate limits even though TCA Chapter 68-104 otherwise legalizes consumer fireworks (Class C / 1.4G) statewide. The Franklin Fire Department and Franklin Police Department jointly enforce the ban; violators may face fines under Franklin Municipal Code penalties and may be held civilly liable for any damages caused. Permitted public fireworks displays under TCA 68-104 require a State Fire Marshal display permit and local Franklin Fire Marshal approval.

Franklin sits in Middle Tennessee's Central Basin / Highland Rim transition in Williamson County and is not within a federally mapped Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone. Tennessee does not adopt the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) statewide; TCA 68-120-101 establishes the 2018 IBC/IRC/IFC family as the statewide minimum and the State Fire Marshal's Office administers it. Wildfire-related controls inside Franklin therefore come from (1) the Franklin Fire Marshal's local prohibition on open burning of brush and trash under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code, and (2) Tennessee's statewide outdoor-burning permit season under TCA 68-102, which requires a free burn permit from October 15 through May 15 for any outdoor burning within 500 ft of forestland or grassland - applicable in unincorporated Williamson County around Franklin.

Open burning of residential brush, yard waste, and trash is prohibited inside Franklin city limits per the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office under Title 7, Chapter 2 (Fire Code) of the Franklin Municipal Code, which adopts the 2024 International Fire Code. Campfires and bonfires require a burn permit issued by the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office and are approved only in recreational settings (not for trash or yard waste); permits are subject to inspection. Above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits do not require a permit. Outside Franklin city limits in unincorporated Williamson County, the Tennessee Division of Forestry requires a free burn permit from October 15 through May 15 for any outdoor burning within 500 ft of forestland or grassland (TCA 68-102 and Rule 0080-03-04). Use the City's free weekly curbside yard waste collection (Solid Waste, 615-794-1516) as the lawful alternative.

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.

The City of Franklin Fire Marshal's Office permits residential use of above-ground fire pits, chimineas, and smokeless fire pits without a burn permit. Open burning of brush or trash is prohibited inside Franklin city limits. Campfires and bonfires (those not in an above-ground appliance) require a burn permit from the Franklin Fire Department and are issued only for approved recreational settings - not for burning yard waste or trash. The Franklin Fire Department enforces the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) and the 2024 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, per Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. Tennessee's statewide minimum standard is the 2018 IBC/IRC/IFC family under TCA 68-120-101.

Propane (LP-gas) storage, use, and dispensing in Franklin is regulated by the Tennessee LP-Gas Code (Tennessee adoption of NFPA 58, 2020 edition) under Tennessee's Liquefied Petroleum Safety Act of Tennessee (TCA Title 68, Chapter 135) and Tennessee Rules 0780-02-17, and by Chapter 61 (Liquefied Petroleum Gases) of the 2024 International Fire Code adopted locally under Title 7, Chapter 2 of the Franklin Municipal Code. The State Fire Marshal's Office regulates LP-gas dealers, transporters, and bulk facilities; the Franklin Fire Marshal's Office enforces in-City installations. Container installations more than 2,000 gallons single or 4,000 gallons aggregate water capacity require construction documents. Per IFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58, LP-gas grills with containers larger than 2.5 lb water capacity may not be operated or stored on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings (1- and 2-family dwellings and fully sprinklered buildings exempt).

Smoke alarm requirements in Franklin homes follow Tennessee Code Annotated 68-120-112 (Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in residential buildings) and the statewide 2018 International Residential Code adopted under TCA 68-120-101. Smoke alarms must be installed in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on each story of the dwelling, in accordance with the IRC and the manufacturer's instructions. The Franklin Fire Department also participates in the State Fire Marshal's Office Get Alarmed, TN! program, providing free 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarm installation to qualifying City of Franklin residents (homes built before 1990 without adequate coverage, deaf/hard-of-hearing residents, or those who cannot afford to purchase alarms). Requests are processed in six to eight weeks; firefighters install on-site.

Franklin's Property Maintenance Code prohibits parking motor vehicles on the lawn - all vehicles must sit on an approved parking pad or driveway - to prevent erosion and stagnant water accumulation. Driveway dimensions, curb cuts, and the share of a residential lot that may be paved for parking are governed by Title 14 (Zoning and Land Use Control) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Vehicles parked across a sidewalk, blocking a driveway, or in the public right-of-way are enforceable under Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) and Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160.

Franklin does not impose a citywide weight or length cap on commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods, but every vehicle on the street is subject to Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code, including the city's authority to restrict parking by ordinance under Section 15-618, and to Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160 (7.5-to-15-foot fire-hydrant setback, no parking in intersections, crosswalks, or sidewalks, etc.). On private property, the Property Maintenance Code prohibits inoperable or unlicensed vehicles on any premises and prohibits lawn parking. Section 15-703 (parking enforcement) was most recently amended by Ordinance 2024-12.

Street parking in Franklin is governed by Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code, with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen's authority to restrict parking by ordinance in Section 15-618 and the parking-enforcement citation procedure in Section 15-703 (most recently amended by Ordinance 2024-12). Downtown Main Street between 1st and 7th Avenues is signed two-hour Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (reduced from four hours in 2023), with a four-hour limit on West Main between 5th and 7th Avenues North. Restrictions are not enforced on weekends or city holidays. Two free public garages on 2nd Ave South and 4th Ave South offer 300 spaces each with no time limit (24-hour max stay).

Loading zones in Franklin are installed and signed by the city under Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code, with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen authority to restrict parking in Section 15-618 and the parking-citation procedure in Section 15-703 (most recently amended by Ordinance 2024-12). Most downtown deliveries occur off Main Street through alleys and on-street spaces during the two-hour Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. window, or before/after enforcement hours, with overflow handled by the two free public garages on 2nd Avenue South and 4th Avenue South.

Curb markings and colored-curb paint on Franklin public streets are installed only by the city (the Franklin Street Department installed 29 new downtown parking signs in 2023 alone); residents and property owners may not paint, alter, or add markings to a public curb. Where paint has faded or is unmarked, the state-law distance restrictions in Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160 still apply by default - including the 7.5-to-15-foot fire-hydrant setback (the municipality sets the exact distance within that range).

Franklin does not maintain a separate citywide ban on RV or boat storage, but the city Property Maintenance Code prohibits any inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle from being kept on a premises, and prohibits parking any motor vehicle on a lawn (vehicles must be on an approved parking pad or driveway). On the street, all vehicles, including travel trailers and boat trailers, are subject to Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code and to Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160 distance restrictions, including the 7.5-to-15-foot fire-hydrant setback.

Franklin does not maintain a separate length- or weight-based oversized-vehicle ordinance on residential streets. The functional limits come from Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code (including the city's authority to restrict parking under Section 15-618 and the citation procedure in Section 15-703 as amended by Ordinance 2024-12), Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160 distance restrictions (7.5-to-15-foot fire-hydrant setback, etc.), Title 14 (Zoning and Land Use Control) outdoor storage limits, and the Property Maintenance Code's ban on inoperable vehicles and lawn parking.

Abandoned vehicles in Franklin are governed primarily by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55, Chapter 16 (Abandoned, Immobile or Unattended Vehicles). Under TCA 55-16-105, after a vehicle is taken into custody, the police department must send written notice to the owner and any lienholder, who have ten days from the date of the notice to reclaim the vehicle on payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges. On private property, the City of Franklin Property Maintenance Code prohibits keeping any inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle on any premises, with a 30-day cure period after a Notice of Violation.

Franklin does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles. The functional limit on the street comes from posted no-parking ordinances adopted by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen under Section 15-618 (City Authority to Restrict Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code, and from Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160 distance restrictions (7.5-to-15-foot fire-hydrant setback, etc.). Downtown's two free public parking garages on 2nd Ave South and 4th Ave South are open 24 hours but post a 24-hour maximum-stay limit. The Property Maintenance Code prohibits inoperable vehicles on premises and lawn parking, both with a 30-day cure period.

Franklin has not adopted a stand-alone EV charging ordinance; installations follow the adopted Tennessee Building Code and the city's adopted electrical code. Both of the free downtown public garages - Second Avenue South Garage (108 2nd Ave S) and Fourth Avenue South Garage (115 4th Ave S) - provide two EV charging spaces each, pay-for-use, with a rule that vehicles must be actively charging while parked in EV-designated spaces. Tennessee currently has no statewide 'right-to-charge' statute for HOAs or condominiums (unlike CA, CO, CT, IL, and OR), and as of January 2026 the state was considering a per-kilowatt-hour tax on public fast chargers.

Per Section 13.1.6 of the Franklin Zoning Ordinance, residential fences must be built from a combination of treated wood posts, pickets, rot-resistant wood (such as cypress or redwood), or metal, with posts or columns of wood, brick, natural stone, cultured stone, or other masonry. Vinyl/PVC is not listed among the approved residential materials. Chain link is prohibited outside the LI and HI districts (with vinyl-coating requirements where allowed) and barbed wire or electrified wire is allowed only in the AG district for livestock.

Fences in the City of Franklin are reviewed by the Department of Planning and Sustainability for compliance with Chapter 13 of the Zoning Ordinance, and building permits for fences and walls are issued by Building and Neighborhood Services (615-794-7012) at 109 3rd Avenue South. Plan review checks height (Sec. 13.1.2), opacity (Sec. 13.1.4), location and sight-distance triangles, and ensures the fence does not encroach into easements. Retaining walls and fences taller than the standard residential limits require additional engineering review under the City's adopted building code.

Franklin fences are regulated by Chapter 13 (Fences, Walls, and Screening) of the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Department of Planning and Sustainability. Per Section 13.1.2, the maximum fence height in a residential front yard is 3 feet (4.5 feet for board horse fencing) and the maximum in side and rear yards is 7 feet for residential uses and the OR district (8 feet for nonresidential and mixed-use districts). On a residential corner lot the side-street frontage is allowed up to 7 feet. Fences in front yards must be a maximum of 75 percent opaque.

Fences in the City of Franklin are governed by Chapter 13 of the Zoning Ordinance, which sets height limits in Section 13.1.2, opacity rules in 13.1.4, material standards in 13.1.6, and prohibitions on locating fences in easements, rights-of-way, or sight-distance triangles. The Department of Planning and Sustainability reviews fence applications and Building and Neighborhood Services (615-794-7012) issues permits. Inside historic overlay districts, fences additionally require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Zoning Commission.

Residential pool barriers in Franklin must comply with the City-adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) - the 2018 edition for plans submitted before January 1, 2026, and the 2024 edition (adopted by Ordinance 2025-37) for plans submitted on or after that date. Under ISPSC Section 305, the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate (or located on the pool side with restricted nearby openings).

Neither the City of Franklin Municipal Code nor the Franklin Zoning Ordinance contains a 'good-side-out' requirement, a partition-fence statute, or a mandatory cost-sharing rule. Boundary fence disputes between neighbors are private civil matters under Tennessee common law. The City regulates fence location only with respect to property lines, easements, sight-distance triangles, and the right-of-way - it does not survey property lines or adjudicate neighbor cost-sharing claims.

Franklin restricts fence materials by zoning district under Section 13.1.6 of the Zoning Ordinance. Chain link fencing and chain link gates are prohibited everywhere except the LI (Light Industrial) and HI (Heavy Industrial) districts, and only when vinyl-coated dark green or black; in the LI district chain link is additionally prohibited in front yards. Wire fences and above-ground electrified fences are permitted only in the AG (Agricultural) district for the control of livestock. Nonresidential fences must include masonry columns every 50 feet on-center or less.

Retaining walls in Franklin are regulated under Section 13.2 of the Zoning Ordinance and under the City-adopted International Building Code and International Residential Code. For residential uses, the front-yard retaining wall height is capped at 2 feet and side/rear-yard walls are capped at 6 feet, with a limit of three retaining walls per lot. For multifamily, nonresidential, and mixed uses, a single wall is capped at 10 feet and a pair of walls at 8 feet each (16 feet total grade change). Walls must be set back from lot lines at least 5 feet or the height of the wall (whichever is greater), and walls over 4 feet generally require a permit and engineered design under the IRC/IBC.

The City of Franklin does not have a breed-specific dog ban. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other commonly-restricted breeds are legal to own in Franklin. Tennessee currently has no statewide preemption of breed-specific legislation - cities and counties retain home-rule authority to enact local BSL under Title 6, but Franklin and Williamson County have chosen not to do so. Dangerous-dog issues are handled on an individual, conduct-based basis under Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code and Tennessee state law (TCA 44-8-413 strict liability for dogs at large; TCA 39-17-1363 'vicious dog' criminal offense after a serious injury or kill).

Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Animal Control) prohibits dogs from running at large within the corporate city limits. State law reinforces this: Tennessee Code Annotated Section 44-8-408 (Dogs not allowed at large) makes it an offense for a dog owner to allow the dog to run at large in a populated area or upon another person's property. Animal control services for Franklin are provided by Williamson County Animal Control (615-790-5590), operating out of the Williamson County Animal Center at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court in Franklin.

The City of Franklin Municipal Code Title 10 (Animal Control), as restated by Ordinance 2011-16, makes it unlawful for any person owning chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other domestic fowl, cattle, or livestock to knowingly or negligently permit them to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot within the corporate limits. Backyard hens are allowed on residential properties subject to the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance and the City's animal-husbandry guidance, which prohibits roosters and requires coops to be maintained to prevent nuisances. Outside city limits in unincorporated Williamson County (except the Grassland Village (GV), Leiper's Fork Village (LFV), and Triune Village (TV) overlay districts), poultry and broader agricultural use is generally permitted under the Williamson County Zoning Ordinance, subject to HOA and deed restrictions.

Title 10 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Animal Control), restated by Ordinance 2011-16, makes it unlawful to allow cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or domestic fowl to run at large in any street, alley, or unenclosed lot in the corporate city limits. Larger livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine) is not authorized on standard city residential lots; agricultural-scale livestock keeping is only permitted in the AG (Agricultural) zoning district, which is intended for farming and single-family residential on significant acreage. Outside city limits, the Williamson County Zoning Ordinance generally permits agricultural use except in the Grassland Village (GV), Leiper's Fork Village (LFV), and Triune Village (TV) overlay districts.

The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not contain a beekeeping-specific ordinance. Beekeeping in Franklin is governed by the Tennessee Apiary Act of 1995 (TCA 44-15-101 through 44-15-122), administered by the State Apiarist within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). All beekeepers in Tennessee must register their apiaries with TDA at no charge, and re-register every three (3) years. Hives are inspected by the State Apiarist for American foulbrood and other diseases. Franklin's broader policy encourages pollinator-friendly practices in line with its Planning & Sustainability Department's pollinator initiatives.

The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not authorize keeping wild or exotic animals as personal pets within the corporate limits. Exotic-animal possession is governed at the state level by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 70, Chapter 4, Part 4 (Exotic Animals, TCA 70-4-401 through 70-4-418) and the rules of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at 1660-01-18, which classify wildlife into Class I (inherently dangerous - prohibited as personal pets), Class II (native wildlife - TWRA permit required), Class III (no permit required), Class IV (white-tailed deer / black bear / wild turkey - only zoos/rehabbers), and Class V (special permit only).

The City of Franklin Municipal Code does not include a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but state-level Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) rules apply citywide. Williamson County is currently inside the TWRA Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Unit / Surveillance Zone for west Middle Tennessee, which triggers a year-round prohibition on feeding deer and a ban on the use of any grain, salt, mineral, or other attractant within the county for the purpose of taking, congregating, or attracting wildlife. Bird feeders within the curtilage of the residence (immediate yard) remain permissible.

Per the Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2 (Tree Protection) and § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), existing trees on a lot or development site may not be removed unless removal is authorized by an approved development plan, site plan, preliminary plat, building permit, grading permit, or a tree removal permit. A tree removal permit is required for commercial, industrial, or multi-family lots of any size, and for single-family lots larger than one (1) acre. Tree removal on a single-family lot of one acre or less is exempt and does not require a permit.

Franklin defines 'weeds, grass and plant growth' as 'all grasses, annual plants and vegetation' and prohibits any of it from exceeding twelve (12) inches in height on any premises, including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties. The standard is enforced by Building & Neighborhood Services under Title 13 of the Municipal Code, the International Property Maintenance Code as locally adopted, and the Franklin Zoning Ordinance. There is no separate state-level Tennessee 'noxious weed' list applicable to residential lots — invasive plants are tracked through the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC).

The City of Franklin does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting or regulating artificial turf on residential lots. Synthetic turf may be installed in rear and side yards without City permits. In front yards or in required landscape areas (under the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 12 Landscape Standards), artificial turf typically does not satisfy 'landscape material' requirements — required plantings, screening areas, and parking-lot interior landscaping must use live plant material per Chapter 12. HOA covenants commonly govern artificial turf on residential lots in Franklin subdivisions and are enforceable independently of City rules.

Per the City of Franklin's Property Maintenance program (administered by Building & Neighborhood Services), all premises in Franklin — including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties — must be maintained free from weeds, grass and plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height. The standard applies to all grasses, annual plants and vegetation regardless of zoning, and is enforced under the City of Franklin Municipal Code (Title 13 — Property Maintenance Regulations), the City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance, and the International Property Maintenance Code as locally adopted.

The City of Franklin Water Management Department operates under a Drought Management Plan approved by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). When drought conditions warrant, the Mayor may declare an Emergency Status 1 (or higher) Water Shortage. Under Emergency Status 1, prohibited non-essential uses include: washing sidewalks/driveways/paved areas (except City for public safety); noncommercial vehicle and boat washing; any non-firefighting hydrant use; watering golf courses; and construction dust control or compaction. Landscape watering — if needed — must occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. using handheld devices.

Franklin is a recognized Tree City USA community operating an Urban Forestry program with an Urban Forestry Superintendent and Supervisor. Tree topping is expressly prohibited in the City of Franklin under Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.4(6)(f). Routine pruning of trees on private single-family lots of one acre or less is not regulated by the City. Trees within the public right-of-way or City-owned land are maintained by the Urban Forestry section of the Parks Department, and pruning of regulated/protected trees must follow industry standard arboricultural practice.

Rainwater harvesting is legal and unregulated for residential use throughout Tennessee — including Franklin. There are no volume limits, no permit requirements, and no equipment/inspection requirements at the state level. Tennessee SB 2417 / HB 1850 expressly authorizes green infrastructure practices including rainwater harvesting. Franklin and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) actively encourage harvesting through the Tennessee Permanent Stormwater Management Manual (Chapter 5.4.10 Rainwater Harvesting), which credits rainwater harvesting against post-construction stormwater volume requirements.

Franklin does not require native-plant landscaping, but the Tree Commission maintains a Recommended Tree List that prioritizes species suited to Middle Tennessee, and the Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17 (Natural Resources) protects existing native canopy and riparian vegetation along the Harpeth River. The Franklin Zoning Ordinance specifically allows removal of invasive species listed by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC) without a tree removal permit — encouraging replacement of invasives with natives. Tennessee's official state tree is the tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), TCA § 4-1-305.

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G allows limited on-site customer traffic but caps it tightly: most home occupations may host no more than two individuals or one family on-site at a time, tutoring and swim lessons are limited to two pupils/students per session, and pet grooming is limited to one pet at a time. The activity may not generate detectable off-premises traffic or parking congestion.

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G expressly prohibits any signs or other means of advertising on the property of a home occupation. The 'no change in exterior appearance' rule reinforces the prohibition. Yard signs, window signs, monument signs, A-frames, banners, and inflatables advertising a home business are all banned in every residential district.

The Tennessee Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. § 53-1-118) gives Franklin residents one of the most permissive cottage-food regimes in the country: no state license, no permit, no inspection, no sales cap, and a broad list of allowed foods. Franklin's § 5.2.7.G permits baking and catering as a 'home occupation,' so cottage food production fits squarely within local zoning.

Franklin does not require a Conditional Use Permit, zoning permit, or special home occupation permit for a compliant home occupation under § 5.2.7.G — operation is by right in all residential districts. Operators must still register for a City of Franklin / Williamson County business license through the city Business Tax Office and pay state and city business taxes under T.C.A. § 67-4-704.

The Franklin Zoning Ordinance (effective January 13, 2026) regulates home-based businesses as 'Home Occupations' under Title 14 Ch. 5, § 5.2.7.G. Home occupations are permitted by right in residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, MR, ER) but must be conducted by a resident-owner, occupy no more than 25 percent of the principal building's floor area, employ no more than one non-resident, and produce no off-site impacts.

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7.G permits in-home care of up to 4 unrelated children as a by-right home occupation. Larger Family Child Care Homes under Tennessee Department of Human Services rules (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01-.20) may house up to 7 children (or 12 if some are related to the primary educator) and require a state license under T.C.A. § 71-3-501 et seq.

Franklin's pool safety rules come from the City-adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018 ISPSC pre-1/1/2026, 2024 ISPSC via Ordinance 2025-37 thereafter) and from the Franklin Zoning Ordinance setbacks. Required safety measures include a 48-inch minimum barrier (ISPSC 305), self-closing/self-latching gates that open outward, no climbing aids near the barrier, suction-entrapment prevention (VGB Act compliance), door alarms or powered safety covers where a dwelling wall serves as part of the barrier, and the 5-foot lot-line and 10-foot front-facade pool setbacks from the Zoning Ordinance.

Franklin pool barriers are governed by Section 305 of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted by the City (2018 ISPSC for plans pre-1/1/2026, 2024 ISPSC via Ordinance 2025-37 thereafter). The barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade on the side facing away from the pool, openings may not allow a 4-inch-diameter sphere to pass, gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate. Climbable objects may not be located so as to defeat the barrier.

All swimming pools in the City of Franklin require a building permit issued by Building and Neighborhood Services (615-794-7012, 109 3rd Avenue South). The City has adopted the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) - the 2018 edition for plans submitted before January 1, 2026 and the 2024 edition via Ordinance 2025-37 for plans submitted on or after that date. Franklin Zoning Ordinance also requires outdoor residential pools to be located at least 10 feet behind the front facade and at least 5 feet from any lot line, and pools may not be located within easements.

Hot tubs and spas in the City of Franklin are governed by the City-adopted International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (2018 ISPSC pre-1/1/2026, 2024 ISPSC via Ordinance 2025-37 thereafter). Permanent residential spas must comply with ANSI/APSP/ICC-3 (ISPSC Chapter 6) and portable spas with ANSI/APSP/ICC-3 standards for portable units. Per ISPSC Section 305.6, spas or hot tubs equipped with a safety cover complying with ASTM F 1346 are exempt from the otherwise-required 48-inch pool barrier. Building permits are required for installation and a separate electrical permit is required for the bonding, GFCI, and dedicated circuit work.

Carports in Franklin are accessory structures under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.3 (or § 5.2.4 Minor Accessory Structure if ≤200 sq ft). Carports must sit behind the front facade of the principal building, meet the underlying zoning district's setback and height standards, and (when 200 sq ft or larger) require a building permit from Building & Neighborhood Services with engineered wind-uplift anchorage.

Franklin permits Accessory Dwellings under Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7 with a 50 percent of principal-building footprint cap, owner-occupancy requirement, parking compliance, and a maximum of one accessory dwelling per lot. Allowed by right in most single-family residential districts (R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, MR, ER) as an accessory use. Tennessee does not preempt local ADU rules.

Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.4 classifies storage sheds with a footprint of 200 square feet or less as 'Minor Accessory Structures' — permitted in all residential districts. Sheds 200 sq ft or larger are regulated as standard Accessory Structures under § 5.2.3 and must meet the setback and height rules of the underlying zoning district. The Tennessee Residential Code exempts one-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft from a building permit.

Converting a garage into habitable space in Franklin requires a building permit and electrical permit from Building & Neighborhood Services because it is a change of occupancy under the Tennessee Residential Code. If the conversion creates a second dwelling unit, it must comply with the Accessory Dwelling standards in Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 5.2.7 — 50% footprint cap, owner-occupancy of the property, parking compliance, one ADU per lot.

A tiny home on a permanent foundation in Franklin is treated as either a single-family dwelling or an Accessory Dwelling under the Franklin Zoning Ordinance and must meet the Tennessee Residential Code as administered by Building & Neighborhood Services. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs, park-model RVs, travel trailers) are not permitted as residences in residential districts because accessory structures and dwellings must comply with the residential building code.

Franklin participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and is regulated by the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Williamson County. Updated FIRMs were approved by the Franklin Municipal Planning Commission on December 2, 2024 and ratified by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) before the federal deadline. The Harpeth River runs directly through downtown Franklin and creates extensive Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) along Franklin Road, downtown, and the West Harpeth, Spencer Creek, and McEwen Creek tributaries. The Floodplain Administrator in Building and Neighborhood Services issues free flood-zone determinations at (615) 550-6631.

Franklin is a Phase II MS4 community permitted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and runs its stormwater program out of Title 23 of the Franklin Municipal Code (Stormwater Management). As of August 1, 2017, the City operates as a TDEC-approved Qualified Local Program (QLP), which means Franklin processes Notices of Intent, reviews SWPPPs, and issues Notices of Coverage on behalf of TDEC for construction sites inside the city limits. Because Franklin sits directly on the Harpeth River and its tributaries (West Harpeth, Spencer Creek, McEwen Creek, Mill Creek), the program emphasizes riparian buffers, post-construction water quality, and illicit discharge control. The program is administered by Engineering Stormwater Management; coordinator phone (615) 791-3218, email stormwater@franklintn.gov.

Grading, drainage, and post-construction stormwater quality in Franklin are regulated by Title 23 of the Franklin Municipal Code, including the green stormwater infrastructure requirement of Section 23-101. Since January 1, 2014, all new development and redevelopment in Franklin that disturbs one acre or more must incorporate green infrastructure practices and follow the City's runoff reduction methods. Site plans, grading permits, and stormwater management plans are reviewed by Engineering before the City will issue a building permit. Cost and difficulty are explicitly NOT valid grounds to seek an alternative-practices exemption from the City Engineer.

Franklin enforces erosion and sediment control through Title 23 of the Franklin Municipal Code and through the TDEC NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP) TNR100000, which Franklin issues locally as a Qualified Local Program. Sites disturbing one acre or more (or less than one acre if part of a larger common plan of development or sale) require a full Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and a Notice of Coverage under TNR100000. Smaller Franklin sites disturbing 5,000 square feet or more that do not install permanent BMPs also require a SWPPP submitted to Engineering. Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control measures must follow the TDEC Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook.

Home cultivation of marijuana is PROHIBITED in Franklin and across Tennessee. Tennessee has no recreational marijuana program and no commercial medical marijuana program. The only legal cannabis-related product is low-THC cannabidiol (CBD) oil with less than 0.9% THC for narrowly defined medical use under T.C.A. 39-17-402(16). All other cultivation, possession, or use of marijuana is a criminal offense under T.C.A. 39-17-417. Cultivation of even a single plant is a Class E felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and up to a $3,000 fine.

There are NO marijuana dispensaries in Franklin or anywhere in Tennessee — the state has not authorized commercial medical or recreational cannabis sales. There is no state licensing framework comparable to Kentucky's Office of Medical Cannabis or to other state dispensary programs. Any attempt to open a marijuana dispensary in Franklin would be unlawful retail trafficking under T.C.A. 39-17-417 with felony exposure. The only cannabis-adjacent retail in Franklin is the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products (delta-8, delta-9, low-THC CBD) regulated by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) since January 1, 2026.

Tennessee does NOT have a strong statewide solar-rights statute that overrides HOA restrictions — a sharp contrast with Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. The Tennessee Solar Access Law of 1979 (T.C.A. 66-9-201 et seq.) only authorizes VOLUNTARY solar easements between adjoining property owners; it does NOT preempt HOA covenants. HOAs in Franklin can lawfully restrict, condition, or prohibit residential solar PV through their recorded Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and architectural review committee approvals. Franklin homeowners should read CC&Rs and ARC guidelines BEFORE signing a solar contract.

Residential rooftop and small ground-mount solar installations in Franklin require a building (and electrical) permit through Building & Neighborhood Services, applying the statewide 2018 International Residential Code and 2017 NEC adopted by Tennessee, plus city amendments under Title 12. Tennessee has NO statewide residential 'solar bill of rights' that preempts HOA restrictions, so private deed restrictions and HOA covenants can still limit panel installation. Larger 'solar energy facilities' (utility-scale) are now regulated under 2024 TN HB 0149 (Public Chapter 936) — but those rules exempt local jurisdictions with their own solar regulations adopted by July 1, 2025 and do NOT apply to small residential systems.

Franklin requires a $5 yard-sale permit through Billing & Licensing, with a maximum of four sales per dwelling per year, two consecutive days each, daylight only. Signs are not allowed in any public right-of-way and may not be posted, attached, nailed, or stapled to any utility or light pole, traffic sign, street sign, or median. One on-premise sign is allowed (6 sq ft per side max). Off-premise signs are limited to 6 sq ft per side, must be on private property only, mounted on stakes, and require written permission from the property owner. Permit must be visible from the right-of-way during the sale.

Campaign signs in Franklin are governed by the Tennessee Freedom of Speech Act (TCA 2-7-143), which preempts local governments and HOAs from restricting the number or shape of political signs on private residential property more than 100 feet from a polling place. Local governments may only limit the size to 16 square feet on residential property. Property owners may display campaign signs starting 60 days before a general election (including early voting) through one day after. Signs may NOT be placed in the public right-of-way under Franklin Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15; signs in the ROW are 'forfeited to the public and shall be immediately confiscated.'

Franklin's Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15 (Signs) does not impose a calendar take-down date for residential holiday lights, wreaths, garlands, or inflatable decorations that carry only a generic holiday/seasonal message. Flag and yard-sign caps in Chapter 15 (3 flags and 2 non-campaign temporary signs per lot, 3 months in 12) apply where a display crosses into 'sign' territory. Practical limits come from the property maintenance code (Title 13, Chapter 1), nuisance provisions, and HOA rules. Lights aimed into neighboring windows or noisy inflatables can be cited as a nuisance.

Franklin applies the same property maintenance standards to vacant and occupied lots. Under Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations), all premises — including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties — must be maintained free from weeds, grass, and plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height. The rule covers grasses, annual plants, and vegetation but excludes trees, shrubs, and cultivated flowers or gardens. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense; the City may abate (mow) and recover costs.

Franklin adopts the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) through Title 12 (Building, Utility, Etc. Codes) and enforces blight, junk, and rubbish accumulation through Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations), Chapter 1, including Section 13-106 (Health and Sanitation Nuisances). All premises, exterior property, and interior of every structure must be free from accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Rubbish must be disposed of in approved containers. Section 13-106 makes it unlawful for any person to permit premises they own, occupy, or control to become or remain in a filthy condition. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense; the City may abate and recover associated costs.

Franklin requires a $5 yard-sale permit from Billing & Licensing for any sale conducted inside city limits. Each dwelling is limited to a maximum of four (4) yard sales per year, each up to two consecutive days during daylight hours only. The permit must be posted in a location visible from the public right-of-way during the sale. Sales must not create traffic problems or block emergency vehicles, and the permittee may not allow loud or boisterous conduct on the premises. Sign rules from Franklin Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15 apply: no right-of-way signs, no signs on utility poles or traffic signs.

Residential trash collection in Franklin is provided by the City of Franklin Sanitation and Environmental Services Department (615-794-1516), governed by Title 17 (Municipal Solid Waste Disposal). Rollout containers must be at the curb by 7:00 AM on the scheduled service day and may not be set out before 7:00 PM the day before. Empty containers must be removed from the curb by 7:00 PM on collection day. All trash inside the container must be bagged to prevent litter. The City will NOT service privately-owned cans; the city-issued rollout container is required. Standard monthly rate is $33.00 for once-per-week service.

The City of Franklin Zoning Ordinance includes a dedicated Lighting chapter (Chapter 13 in the current Zoning Ordinance) that applies to commercial, multi-family, mixed-use, and institutional site lighting. Maximum illumination abutting a residential property line is 0 foot-candles, the cap on other property lines is 2 foot-candles, parking-area lighting is 0.2 fc minimum to 10 fc maximum, and fixtures must use cutoff shielding so that light does not project beyond an angle of 35 degrees from a vertical plane. Building-mounted lights must be ornamental sconces, cutoff fixtures, or other fixtures screened by architectural features; prismatic/acrylic globes as the sole shielding are prohibited. Fixture heights are capped at 30 ft generally and 20 ft within 50 ft of a residential lot. Franklin is not on DarkSky International's roster of certified lighting codes. Single-family residential lights are not subject to the engineered glare standards but remain subject to nuisance review.

Franklin's rollout containers, yard waste, brush, and other refuse must be placed at the curb no earlier than 7:00 PM the day BEFORE collection and no later than 7:00 AM on the scheduled day of collection. The opening lid of the rollout container must face the street so the automated side-arm truck can lift and dump the cart. Empty rollout containers must be removed from curbside by 7:00 PM the evening of collection. Bulky items must sit at least 5 feet away from anything else on either side and not be placed under power lines or trees.

Franklin operates its OWN municipal Sanitation and Environmental Services Department (NOT contracted to Republic Services, Waste Connections, or another private national hauler). Residential solid waste collection is governed by Title 17 (Municipal Solid Waste Disposal) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Residents receive once-a-week curbside garbage collection in a City-issued rollout cart. Blue Bin Recycling is a separate opt-in service with a one-time $75.00 administrative setup fee (as of January 1, 2025) for the 64-gallon recycling container. The Sanitation Department contact is (615) 794-1516.

Franklin Sanitation collects bulky items (furniture, mattresses, etc.) every Tuesday and large appliances/white goods every Thursday — set out at curbside by 7:00 AM with at least 5 feet of clearance from any obstacle and not under power lines or trees. Construction and demolition debris, household hazardous waste, electronics, and refrigerant-containing appliances are excluded from regular City collection. Williamson County operates a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program for paint, solvents, motor oil, pool chemicals, and similar materials. Illegal dumping — especially into the Harpeth River or its tributaries — is a triple violation under Title 17, Title 23, and Tennessee criminal littering statutes T.C.A. 39-14-501 to 503.

Federal law (FAA Part 107 for commercial; 49 U.S.C. § 44809 for recreational) governs the airspace over Franklin — the City cannot regulate altitude or flight paths. Tennessee adds the Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act (TCA 39-13-609), the unlawful image-capture provisions of TCA 39-13-903, and the 250-foot critical-infrastructure buffer of TCA 39-13-905. Franklin sits in the Class B and surrounding airspace of Nashville International (BNA) — LAANC authorization is required for most flights in controlled airspace. Locally, the city may regulate take-off and landing on city-owned property (parks, public buildings) but not the airspace itself. Always check the FAA B4UFLY app.

Operating a food truck in Franklin requires a Mobile Food Vendor Permit from Building & Neighborhood Services (BNS), governed by Title 9 Chapter 11 (Mobile Food Vending) of the Franklin Municipal Code. Franklin's adopted ordinance (Aug. 28, 2023; effective Sept. 25, 2023) caps the city-wide program at 12 mobile food units operating per year as a pilot framework, with operations ceasing by 9:00 PM. Per an update to the International Fire Code, applicants must also obtain a state-issued fire permit from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal and a Tennessee Department of Health retail food permit (TDH rules Chapter 1200-23-1).

Under Franklin Municipal Code Title 9 Chapter 11 (Mobile Food Vending), adopted Aug. 28, 2023, mobile food units in Franklin may operate ONLY on developed and occupied property within the business and industrial zoning districts. Residential zones are off-limits for food-truck vending. Operations must cease by 9:00 PM (except where residents privately host the truck as a catering vendor on private property). The city-wide pilot caps active operating units at 12 per year. A separate Mobile Food Vendor Location-Specific Application is required for anchored single-site operations.

Franklin residential setbacks are set in Chapter 3 of the Franklin Zoning Ordinance (effective Jan. 13, 2026). R1: 60 ft front / 25 ft side / 50 ft rear on a 30,000 sq ft minimum lot. R2: 20/10/40 ft on 15,000 sq ft. R3: 20/10/30 ft on 9,000 sq ft. R4: average block face (min 10 ft) / 7 ft side / 20 ft rear on lot ≥6,500 sq ft. R6: 4,000 sq ft minimum lot, 40 ft frontage. ER: 150/35/65 ft on estate-sized lots.

The Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2 protects 'specimen trees' as the City's functional equivalent of a heritage-tree designation. Specimen trees cannot be approved for removal under § 17.2.9 (BNS may NOT issue a tree removal permit when the tree proposed for removal is a specimen tree). Specimen trees are also protected by tree preservation plans required on development plan, site plan, and preliminary plat applications, with retention-condition language frequently imposed during entitlement. Tennessee state law does not designate or protect heritage trees — that authority is municipal.

Under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), a tree removal permit must be obtained from Building & Neighborhood Services before removing trees on commercial, industrial, or multi-family lots of any size, or on single-family lots larger than one (1) acre. Applications are reviewed by the Department of Planning & Sustainability and/or the City Arborist, who make a recommendation to BNS. BNS may not issue building or grading permits until a tree-removal decision (approval or exemption) is in writing. Removal of trees in open space lots, conservation easements, required landscape material, retention-condition areas, or specimen trees cannot be approved.

When trees are removed under a Franklin tree removal permit or as part of an approved development plan, the Zoning Ordinance § 17.2 imposes tree replacement standards that require new plantings on-site or, when on-site replacement is infeasible, a payment-in-lieu to the Tree Bank Fund administered by the Franklin Tree Commission. Replacement requirements scale to the size and number of trees removed and the tree-preservation plan submitted with development applications. The Tree Bank funds Arbor Day plantings, public-tree replacement, and community forestry projects.

Franklin's tree ordinance framework consists of three pieces: (1) Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17 (Natural Resources) — substantive tree protection including § 17.2 (Tree Protection), § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), tree preservation plans, specimen-tree protection, and replacement standards; (2) the Franklin Tree Commission — established by ordinance, maintains the Recommended Tree List, plans Arbor Day, administers the Tree Bank Fund, and reports for Tree City USA; and (3) the Urban Forestry section of the Parks Department — operations and maintenance of public/right-of-way trees. Topping is prohibited city-wide under Zoning § 5.2.4(6)(f). Franklin has held Tree City USA designation for approximately 20 years.

Franklin does not publish an HVAC-specific noise rule. Residential and commercial HVAC equipment (heat pumps, condensers, pool heaters, rooftop units, generators) falls under the general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Title 11, Ch. 4, Sec. 11-402, with installation governed by the State of Tennessee mechanical code as adopted in Title 12 of the Franklin Municipal Code, and setback / placement requirements set by the Franklin Zoning Ordinance.

The City of Franklin does not have a bamboo-specific ordinance, and Tennessee does not designate bamboo on the state pest plant rule administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. However, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture publicly states it receives more complaints about invasive bamboo than any other plant because running bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa spp.) spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes that can damage foundations, driveways, and pools. Spread onto a neighbor's property in Franklin is generally a private common-law nuisance issue, but bamboo that grows tall and unmaintained may also be cited under Franklin's general overgrown-vegetation and nuisance provisions.