City of Franklin

1) Can a homeowner obtain a permit to work on his residence without having a state or local contractor's license?
Yes. A homeowner can obtain a permit to do work on his residence without holding a state or local contractor's license. However, the owner should be aware this is only applicable to the dwelling in which he/she resides. This exception does not apply to other properties which the owner may possess. When a homeowner obtains a permit, he becomes responsible for all work done under the permit and its compliance with codes. The homeowner cannot hire sub-contractors to do plumbing, mechanical, gas or electrical work under a permit which he has obtained.

2) Can I park in the Fire Lane to load/unload, pick-up/drop-off someone?
No, Fire Lanes in the City of Franklin a marked with signs and pavement markings alternating every 50 feet. Pavement markings state, “FIRE LANE-NO PARKING”, and the signs state, “NO STOPPING, STANDING, or PARKING”. The Fire Lane is reserved for emergency vehicles and anyone violating this law is subject to a $50 fine plus a $65 court cost.

3) Do I need a permit to burn limbs, have a cookout, or have a bonfire on my property?
Yes, in accordance with the Fire Code, Section 7-224 open burning does require a permit issued by the fire department. The permit allows open burning for cookouts, campfires, bonfires, cooking, warming fires, and land clearing fires when an air curtain destructor is used. Disposal of rubbish, yard waste, fallen leaves, limbs, and construction debris by burning is strictly prohibited. This prohibition also applies to burning of tires, vinyl products, fiberglass/asphalt shingles, styrofoam products, and plastic products. The permit lists general requirements and specific requirements that the applicant must adhere to. Failure to comply with the provisions of the permit shall be punishable by the penalties prescribed by law. Open burning permits issued by the fire department are fee of charge.

4) Do I need to have an alarm permit?
Yes. Pursuant to Municipal Code Title 20, Chapter 2, the Franklin Police will issue a revocable permit after an application has been made and approved. Click here for further details.

5) Does the City of Franklin Parks Department reserve pavilions at any of its City park facilities?
Yes. The City of Franklin Parks Department has pavilions at Jim Warren Park (705 Boyd Mill Avenue); Aspen Grove Park (Aspen Grove Drive at Cool Springs Blvd.); and Pinkerton Park (405 Murfreesboro Road). Information for each is listed below. Please remember NO alcoholic beverages are allowed at any time in any of the Parks located in Franklin.

Jim Warren Park – one large pavilion (enclosed with screen); MUST be reserved; seats approximately 120 people. Available from mid-March to mid-November. All-day rental fees:

Williamson County Residents: $60.00
Non-Residents: $100.00
Refundable Damage Deposit: $150.00

Aspen Grove Park – MUST be reserved; one pavilion (covered); seats approximately 50 people. All-day rental fees:

Williamson County Residents: $75.00
Non-Residents: $125.00
Refundable Damage Deposit: $150.00

Pinkerton Park – three pavilions (covered); first-come, first served.

For any additional information please call the Parks Administrative office at (615) 794-2103.

6) How often is City Court held?
Effective August 2003, court will be held each Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:30 AM. Click here for more information.

7) Is there a city-wide curfew for minors?
Yes. Pursuant to Municipal Code Title 20, Chapter 1, it is unlawful for anyone under 18 to remain in or upon any public place within the city during period ending 5:00 AM and beginning 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and during period ending 5:00 AM and beginning 12 midnight Friday and Saturday. Click here for further details and exceptions.

8) What are City Holidays and when are City offices closed?

New Years Day (offices closed)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (offices closed)
Presidents Day (offices closed)
Good Friday (offices closed)
Memorial Day (offices closed)
Independence Day (offices closed)
Labor Day (offices closed)
Thanksgiving Day (offices closed Thursday & Friday)
Christmas Holiday (offices closed two days for the holiday - days vary)

Normal office hours are from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

9) What is GIS?
A GIS (Graphical Information System) combines layers of information about a place to give you a better understanding of that place. What layers of information you combine depends on your purpose—finding the best location for a new store, analyzing environmental damage, viewing similar crimes in a city to detect a pattern, and so on. The City of Franklin has an extensive GIS made up of layers of data, aerial photographs, and databases. These tools are used to create digital and paper maps, plan for the future of Franklin, prepare for natural and manmade disasters, expedite EMS response, and track development.

10) What types of recreational services does the City of Franklin provide?

The City in conjunction with the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department provides Adult Softball at Fieldstone Farms Park, located at 1377 Hillsboro Road and Tennis at Jim Warren Park located at 705 Boyd Mill Avenue. Please call the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Center's Athletics Division at (615) 370-3471 for additional information.
The Franklin Baseball Club provides services for youth baseball at the Jim Warren Park facilities located at 705 Boyd Mill Avenue in Franklin. For additional information please check out the Club's web site here: Franklin Baseball Club.
The Franklin Cowboys Association provides youth football at the Jim Warren Park facilities located at Jim Warren. For additional information please check out the Cowboys' web site here: Franklin Cowboys Association.

11) What will happen if I move into my building without first obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy?
A new building shall not be occupied or a change made in the occupancy, nature or use of a building, part of a building or structure until after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy a building, part of a building or structure prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The offender shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and such violation shall be punishable by a penalty of fifty ($50.00) plus court costs. Each day shall be deemed a separate offense.

12) When is a building, plumbing, mechanical, gas or electrical permit required?
Anyone who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work.

13) How do I report a stormwater drainage, erosion, or illegal discharge problem?
Contact the City's Stormwater Management Coordinator at (615) 550-6670.

14) How do I report a street light that is out?
Residents should call Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp (MTEMC) at 1(877)986-8362.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS