Under Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2.9 (Tree Removal Permits), a tree removal permit must be obtained from Building & Neighborhood Services before removing trees on commercial, industrial, or multi-family lots of any size, or on single-family lots larger than one (1) acre. Applications are reviewed by the Department of Planning & Sustainability and/or the City Arborist, who make a recommendation to BNS. BNS may not issue building or grading permits until a tree-removal decision (approval or exemption) is in writing. Removal of trees in open space lots, conservation easements, required landscape material, retention-condition areas, or specimen trees cannot be approved.
Franklin Zoning Ordinance § 17.2.9 sets out the tree-removal-permit framework. 'An application for a tree removal permit shall be made in accordance with application requirements established by the Department of Building and Neighborhood Services.' Planning & Sustainability or the City Arborist reviews and recommends; BNS approves, approves with conditions, or denies. Permit triggers: commercial/industrial/multi-family lots of any size, and single-family lots larger than 1 acre. Exempt: single-family residential lots ≤ 1 acre (not 'critical lots'); dead/dying/unhealthy/structurally unsound trees; nuisance trees; trees threatening structures, utilities, or public safety; trees encroaching utility easements; TN-EPPC-listed invasive species; and trees on City-owned land. § 17.2 also imposes a tree preservation plan requirement on development plan, site plan, and preliminary plat applications, showing lot lines, recent aerial photographs, and the location and extent of existing onsite tree canopy including an estimate of total percentage of parcels covered. No building permit or grading permit may be issued until BNS confirms tree-removal approval or exemption. Approved removals may require replacement plantings per § 17.2 standards or a payment to the Tree Bank Fund administered by the Tree Commission.
Removing trees without a required § 17.2.9 permit, or in violation of conditions on an issued permit, is a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced by BNS with replacement requirements and possible Tree Bank Fund contributions. Removal in violation of a development-plan condition of approval is also enforceable through the development-approval process and may trigger building-permit revocation or stop-work orders.
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