Barking dog rules in Franklin, TN — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
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 Franklin Municipal Code's Title 10 (Animal Control) governs dogs and other domestic animals within the city, following the standard Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) template that makes it unlawful to own, keep, or harbor any dog that 'by loud and frequent barking, whining, or howling, disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood.' Where the Title 10 nuisance provision applies, it operates in parallel with the general 'unnecessary noise' standard of Sec. 11-402 (Title 11, Ch. 4), which independently prohibits any noise that 'annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others.' Franklin does not maintain its own animal control field unit; instead, the City of Franklin Police Department dispatches the Williamson County Animal Center (WCAC) at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court, Franklin, TN 37064, for barking-dog and other animal-noise complaints. WCAC operates Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and can be reached at 615-790-5590 (main) or 629-235-6477 (after hours). There is no fixed minute-threshold in Title 10 - officers evaluate frequency, duration, time of day, and whether the noise causes 'unreasonable annoyance' to neighbors. Owners cited for repeat barking-dog complaints may be required to attend a Williamson County General Sessions hearing. For an in-progress disturbance, Franklin Police non-emergency dispatch at 615-794-2513 will determine whether to send patrol or WCAC.
Title 10 noisy-dog violations may be enforced by citation through Williamson County General Sessions Court (under Franklin's general municipal-court fine schedule for ordinance violations). Sec. 11-402 'unnecessary noise' citations from concurrent enforcement carry a $126 minimum cost (per Franklin PD). Repeat offenders may face escalated fines and potential confiscation of the animal under Title 10 nuisance authority. WCAC (615-790-5590) and Franklin PD (615-794-2513) share enforcement.
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