Franklin, TN Property Maintenance: Garage Sale Rules (2026)

Yard and garage sales in Franklin are operated under a city permit framework administered by Billing & Licensing. A yard-sale permit is required for any sale held inside Franklin city limits and the permit fee is $5.00. Frequency cap: Garage / yard sales are limited to a maximum of four (4) per dwelling per year. Duration: each sale may be held for up to two (2) consecutive days. Hours: sales are limited to daylight hours only. Permit display: the permit must be posted in a location that is visible from the public right-of-way during the sale. Conduct rules: the yard sale shall not create a traffic problem or inhibit the use of the road or street by public or emergency vehicles, and the permit holder will not permit vehicles to block traffic in the area. The permittee will not allow loud or boisterous conduct on the premises. Sign rules tie back to Franklin Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15 and the published yard-sale rules: signs are NOT allowed in any public right-of-way and may NOT be posted, attached, nailed, or stapled to any utility or light pole, traffic sign, street sign, or median. One on-premise sign is allowed (max 6 sq ft per side). Off-premise signs are limited to 6 sq ft per side, must be on private property only, mounted on stakes, and require written permission from the property owner. Tax: Tennessee imposes a 7% state sales tax plus a local option up to 2.75% (Williamson County and Franklin combined local rate); occasional yard sales of personal household items generally do not trigger collection obligations, but recurring sales may constitute taxable retail. If sales become recurring or commercial in nature, a Franklin business license and home-occupation zoning approval would be required. Enforcement: Building & Neighborhood Services (615-794-7012); each day of continuing violation is a separate offense.