Franklin, TN Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- equipment, materials, debris, excavation, tunneling
- Emergency exception
- underground utility work only
- Governing section
- Franklin Municipal Code § 16-201
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 2017-44 (3-13-2018)
Summary
Franklin requires a permit before occupying or obstructing any street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way with equipment, materials, debris, or excavation work, and violating a permit's terms is separately unlawful.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, association or others to occupy or obstruct any public or private street, alley, sidewalk, or other right-of-way for the purpose of placing thereon construction equipment, scaffolding, non-licensed vehicles, building and/or landscaping materials, rubbish, debris, or to make any excavation in any street, alley, sidewalk or public place, or to tunnel under any street, alley, or public place without having first obtained a permit as herein required, and without complying with the provisions of this chapter.
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
Anyone who wants to place construction equipment, scaffolding, building or landscaping materials, rubbish, or debris on a Franklin street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way, or dig an excavation or tunnel beneath one, must first get a right-of-way occupancy permit under Franklin Municipal Code § 16-201. Emergency utility work on underground lines is the only exception, and even then a permit application is due the next business day, retroactive to when the work began. Occupying or obstructing without a permit, or straying from a permit's terms, is separately unlawful and enforceable by the city.
Violations & Fines
Occupying, obstructing, or excavating a Franklin street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way without a permit, or violating a permit's terms, is unlawful under § 16-201 and can draw code enforcement citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a dumpster or equipment on a Franklin street?
Is there an exception for emergency utility repairs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin
Compare Franklin to another location·View the Tennessee sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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