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's Property Maintenance Codes page states verbatim that 'All premises (including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties) shall be maintained free from weeds, grass and plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches in height,' and defines weeds, grass and plant growth as 'all grasses, annual plants and vegetation.' The local enforcement framework combines three sources: (1) the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by reference through Title 12 of the Municipal Code; (2) Title 13 — Property Maintenance Regulations of the Municipal Code; and (3) the Franklin Zoning Ordinance. Enforcement is handled by Building & Neighborhood Services (BNS) at 615-794-7012. Violators receive a Notice of Violation; if not corrected by the due date, BNS issues a citation to Franklin Municipal Court, where each day of continued violation is a separate offense. The City may also abate the nuisance by having the grass cut and recover associated costs against the property.
Building & Neighborhood Services issues a Notice of Violation (N.O.V.) with a due date. If the property owner fails to correct by the due date, BNS issues a citation to appear in Franklin Municipal Court. The City states that 'each day that a violation continues is considered a separate offense' and Municipal Court may levy a fine for each. If still uncorrected, the City may force abatement (have the grass cut) and pursue legal action to recover the associated costs against the owner.
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See how Franklin's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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