Franklin, TN Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Franklin's Zoning Ordinance Chapter 12 (Landscape Standards) requires live plant material — trees, shrubs, ground cover, and grass — to satisfy buffer yards, parking-lot interior landscaping, street-tree requirements, and screening areas on multi-family and non-residential developments. The Ordinance does not enumerate artificial turf, but staff interpretation under Chapter 12 treats synthetic surfaces as non-compliant for those required landscape areas because they do not provide the stormwater, shade, or ecological benefits the standards aim to achieve. On a single-family lot outside of required landscape areas, the City does not regulate the choice between sod, mulch, or artificial turf. Tennessee provides no statewide artificial-turf ban or mandate. HOAs within Franklin (including in Westhaven, McKay's Mill, Cool Springs subdivisions, etc.) often impose their own rules on synthetic turf via their CC&Rs, and the City does not enforce HOA covenants — disputes go through the HOA's architectural review committee or civil court.