Franklin Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

The City of Franklin’s Building and Neighborhood Services Department is the building-permitting and inspection authority for property inside Franklin city limits. Williamson County and neighboring municipalities have separate development authorities, so a project outside the city should not be filed through Franklin without confirming the jurisdiction.

Franklin building permits and plan review

Franklin’s Building and Neighborhood Services department supports construction-document review, building permits, construction inspections, zoning and floodplain administration, and property-maintenance enforcement. The city’s zoning ordinance states that a building permit is required before construction or alteration of a principal or accessory structure that requires permitting. Check the city’s current department resources for the application path, plans, fees, and supporting approvals for the project.

Residential, commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use work can involve different plan-review, site, fire, utility, floodplain, and zoning requirements. Confirm the proposed use and zoning before preparing the final submittal, and follow any conditions in the city’s approval documents.

Franklin inspections and certificate of use and occupancy

Building, fire, and zoning inspections must be successfully completed before Franklin issues a Certificate of Occupancy for applicable projects. The city’s published inspection guidance says occupancy should not begin before a certificate or temporary certificate is issued. Request inspections through the city’s current department process and resolve correction notices before requesting the final approval.

Franklin’s Building and Neighborhood Services budget materials identify the department’s responsibilities for plan review, permits, construction inspections, and enforcement. Because contact numbers and online forms can change, use the official city department page for the current permit counter, assigned inspector, and inspection-request instructions.

Franklin zoning and code compliance

The Franklin Zoning Ordinance assigns Building and Neighborhood Services authority to administer and enforce the ordinance, including approval of building permits. The Department of Planning and Sustainability may retain responsibility for planning-related reviews, landscape, development plans, and other delegated approvals. Coordinate both departments when a project involves site development, zoning changes, floodplain work, or a final use-and-occupancy condition.

Official contact information

Franklin’s current interim Community Development location is 120 9th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064; the city lists 109 3rd Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064 as its mailing address. The department’s public contact number is (615) 794-7012. Verify counter hours before visiting because Franklin has published interim-location updates.