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Franklin, TN Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Coverage limit
15% of individual window area
Sign count cap
Max 5 window signs per storefront
Placement
Within 12 inches of interior glazing
Neon
1 interior neon sign, by permit

Summary

Franklin caps window signs at 15 percent of an individual window's area, or 15 percent of a grouped-window area, and no storefront may display more than five window signs under the city's 2026 sign code.

Maximum of 15 percent of an individual window area, but shall not exceed 5 window signs In cases where windows are grouped, the sign area shall not exceed 15 percent of the window grouping area Fully within the interior of the building and attached directly to or mounted within 12 inches of the inside of the business

Standards (Continued)

Materials Lighting

Metal, wood, or easily removable paint, paper, cloth, or other like material, or neon tubing as permitted below Retail businesses may have one interior neon sign, by permit only, and shall comply with all other standards in this Section. The computation for the sign area shall include the outermost limits of any neon tubing

All other illumination is prohibited

Franklin Zoning Ordinance Effective January 13, 2026 269

15Chapter SIGNS Temporary Construction Site Sign 15.17 Temporary Construction Site Sign

Description A sign on an active construction site intended for temporary use during the construction period

Standards Permitted Districts Quantity Sign Area Placement Materials Height Lighting Duration

All districts Maximum of five signs per construction site. As an alternative, construction fencing with an opaque screening material may have additional signs printed onto the screening material May have up to two sides, with a maximum of 32 square feet per side Minimum setback at the property line Fabric, canvas, or other comparable material that has the same properties

Full Breakdown

Section 15.16, Window Sign, of the 2026 Franklin Zoning Ordinance sets the standard: window sign area 'shall not exceed 15 percent of an individual window area, but shall not exceed 5 window signs,' and where windows are grouped, coverage is capped at 15 percent of the grouped area. Signs must sit fully inside the building, mounted within 12 inches of the interior glazing. Materials are limited to metal, wood, or easily removable paint, paper, or cloth; retail businesses may add one interior neon window sign by permit, and all other window sign illumination is prohibited.

Violations & Fines

Installing a sign, including a window sign, without the required sign permit is unlawful under Section 22.3; violations of the Ordinance are misdemeanors fined under Title 12's general penalty clause, per Section 22.5.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much window space can a Franklin business cover with signage?
Up to 15 percent of an individual window's area, capped at five window signs total, per Zoning Ordinance § 15.16.
Is a window sign permit required in Franklin?
Yes. Section 22.3 makes installing any sign, including a window sign, without a City-issued sign permit unlawful.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Franklin

All Franklin rules

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