Franklin, TN Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing list
- TN Exotic Pest Plant Council invasives
- Landscape credit
- None for listed invasive species
- Tree removal
- Listed invasives exempt from permit
- Applies to
- Required development landscaping plans
Summary
Franklin's landscape standards bar developers from using any species on the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's invasive list to meet required plantings: those plants get zero credit toward the Ordinance's landscaping minimums.
Plants listed on the current edition of the Invasive Exotic Pest Plants of Tennessee, as published by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, shall be prohibited and shall not be credited towards the minimum requirements of this Ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Section 12.9.1.D, Minimum Quality and Size Standards, states that 'plants listed on the current edition of the Invasive Exotic Pest Plants of Tennessee, as published by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, shall be prohibited and shall not be credited towards the minimum requirements of this Ordinance.' The same TN-EPPC list does double duty in Chapter 17: Section 17.2.1.F exempts removal of any listed invasive tree from the tree removal permit requirement altogether, meaning Franklin treats the state list as the operative standard both for excluding invasives from required landscaping and for clearing them from a site without a permit.
Violations & Fines
A landscape plan relying on a listed invasive species for required plantings won't satisfy the Ordinance and won't be approved; general Ordinance violations are misdemeanors under Title 12's penalty clause, § 22.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can invasive plants count toward Franklin's landscaping requirements?
Do I need a permit to remove an invasive tree in Franklin?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
Compare Franklin to another location·View the Tennessee invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.