Franklin, TN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Liquor and wine, not beer
- Prohibited locations
- Streets, sidewalks, parks
- Exception
- Licensed premises only
- Code section
- Sec. 8-122
Summary
Franklin bans drinking or carrying an open container of liquor or wine on any public street, sidewalk, park, or government building unless the location is licensed for it.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drink or consume alcoholic beverages other than beer, or be in visible possession of any unsealed containers of alcoholic beverages other than beer, in or on any public street, alley, avenue, highway, sidewalk, public park, within any governmental building, or in any other public place, unless the place has all necessary licenses, certificates, and/or permits necessary for such consumption or visible possession of open containers.
(Ord. No. 2025-08, § I, 5-13-2025)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 2025-08, § I, adopted May 13, 2025, repealed the former § 8-122, and enacted a new § 8-122 as set out herein. The former § 8-122 pertained to visible possession of unsealed containers on streets, etc., prohibited and derived from 1976 Code, § 2-120, adopted 1976; Ord. No. 2016-03, § 1, adopted December 13, 2016.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 8-122 makes it unlawful to drink or consume, or be in visible possession of an unsealed container of, alcoholic beverages other than beer on any public street, alley, avenue, highway, sidewalk, public park, inside a government building, or any other public place. The only exception is a place holding the necessary licenses, certificates, or permits for consumption. Because Title 8, Chapter 1 governs alcohol 'other than beer,' this open-container ban does not reach beer, which is regulated separately under Chapter 2.
Violations & Fines
Public consumption or open possession of liquor or wine in violation of Sec. 8-122 is a Code violation enforced by the Franklin Police Department, punishable under the Municipal Code's general penalty clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk down a Franklin sidewalk with an open glass of wine?
Does the open container ban apply to beer?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
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