Franklin, TN Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Property blight and nuisance conditions in Franklin are regulated through three coordinated code layers. (1) Title 12 (Building, Utility, Etc. Codes) — Franklin has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) under Title 12, which establishes minimum standards for the maintenance of structures, equipment, and exterior property, including sanitation, structural stability, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and general fire safety. (2) Title 13 (Property Maintenance Regulations), Chapter 1 (Miscellaneous), Section 13-106 (Health and Sanitation Nuisances) — makes it unlawful for any person to permit premises they own, occupy, or control to become or remain in a filthy condition. All premises (including the perimeter of vacant lots adjacent to rights-of-way or developed properties) shall be maintained free from rubbish, garbage, and similar accumulations. Rubbish and garbage shall be disposed of in a clean and sanitary manner by being placed in approved containers, and the owner of the property is responsible for providing approved containers and removing rubbish and garbage from the property. (3) Enforcement and abatement — the City of Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services Department (615-794-7012) issues notices of violation; if the violation is not corrected, the City may be forced to take action to abate the violation by having the rubbish removed, the grass cut, etc., and then take legal action to recover associated costs (lienable). Each day that a violation continues is considered a separate offense and the Franklin Municipal Court may levy a fine for each offense. Inoperable / unlicensed vehicles stored on residential property may be cited under Title 13 nuisance provisions and Title 15 (Motor Vehicles, Traffic and Parking) as a property-maintenance violation. The city's Property Maintenance code page directs reports to Building & Neighborhood Services and offers an online code-compliance complaint form.