Franklin, TN Parking Rules: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (2026)

Franklin regulates commercial vehicle parking through three layered authorities rather than a dedicated truck ordinance. First, on the public street, Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) of the Franklin Municipal Code controls parking citywide. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen authority to restrict parking by ordinance is captured in Section 15-618 (City Authority to Restrict Parking), and the citation procedure for parking violations is in Section 15-703, which was most recently amended by Ordinance 2024-12. Every commercial vehicle - work truck, service van, box truck, flatbed trailer, semi-tractor - is bound by Tennessee Code Annotated 55-8-160, which makes it unlawful to stop, stand, or park within 7.5 to 15 feet of a fire hydrant (the municipality picks the exact distance), within an intersection or on a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, in front of a public or private driveway, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, within 30 feet of a flashing signal or stop sign, alongside another vehicle (double parking), or in other enumerated locations. Second, the downtown commercial district carries the two-hour Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. signed limit on Main Street between 1st and 7th Avenues, and a four-hour signed limit on West Main between 5th and 7th Avenues North, which together prevent long commercial vehicle storage in the historic core. Third, on private property, the City of Franklin Property Maintenance Code prohibits keeping any inoperable or unlicensed motor vehicle on any premises and prohibits parking any motor vehicle on the lawn. Active loading and unloading is treated separately from parking under state law. The Franklin Police Department enforces on-street parking citations; Building and Neighborhood Services handles private-property violations through a 30-day-cure Notice of Violation process, with abatement and Municipal Court referral available for uncorrected cases.