Building permits in Franklin — the Williamson County seat and one of Tennessee's wealthiest and fastest-growing cities south of Nashville — are issued by the City of Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services department. Plans must be submitted through the electronic plan review system in PDF format.
This Franklin building permit guide covers what requires a permit, how Building & Neighborhood Services works, the electronic plan review system, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Franklin project starts clean.
Franklin and Williamson County are separate permitting jurisdictions. The City of Franklin handles permits within city limits. Williamson County Building Codes (1320 W. Main Street) handles permits for unincorporated areas via its own electronic plan review system (IDT Plans). Brentwood runs its own permitting.
What requires a building permit in Franklin?
Under the International Codes as adopted by the City of Franklin, a permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of most structures. Common triggers include:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, doors, and exterior changes
- Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Decks, pools, fences, accessory structures, and signs
- Change of occupancy or use
- Stormwater and grading permits (SWG)
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, cabinetry, and cosmetic work
- One-story detached accessory structure ≤ 200 sq ft
- Replacement of existing fixtures (like-for-like swaps)
- Minor repairs not affecting structural or safety systems
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Franklin?
Permitting, plan review, and inspections run through the City of Franklin's Building & Neighborhood Services department (part of Community Development). Plans are submitted through the electronic plan review system in PDF format with pages in order and labeled.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building & Neighborhood Services — Community Development, 120 9th Ave South, Franklin, TN 37064 |
| Phone | (615) 550-6730 |
| Apply | Electronic plan review system (PDF submission) |
| Covers | City of Franklin only |
| Williamson County | Williamson County Building Codes — 1320 W. Main St — (615) 790-5718 |
| Code cycle | Adopted International Codes (locally enforced) |
Submit plans through the electronic plan review system. All residential and commercial plans must be submitted in PDF format with all pages in order and labeled. Access the system through the City of Franklin's Building & Neighborhood Services page.
Franklin building permit cost
Franklin building permit fees are set by the city fee schedule and based on project type and valuation. Separate trade permit fees apply. Stormwater and grading (SWG) permits carry additional fees.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Building permit fee | Per city fee schedule (type & valuation) |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit calculation |
| Trade permits (E / P / M / Gas) | Separate fee per trade |
| Stormwater & grading permit | Separate SWG application and fee |
| Sign permit | Separate application and fee |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + enforcement action |
Want a precise number for a specific Franklin project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Franklin trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas permits are filed separately. Each requires a Tennessee-licensed trade contractor.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and most wiring — performed by a TN-licensed electrical contractor.
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas piping — performed by a TN-licensed plumber.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork, and refrigeration — performed by a TN-licensed mechanical contractor.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Reroofs, decks, pools, fences, signs, accessory structures, and stormwater/grading work are permitted separately. Franklin's historic overlay districts may require additional review.
Verify your contractor's license. Tennessee requires a state contractor license issued by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (under the Department of Commerce & Insurance / TDCI) for projects valued at $25,000 or more. Separate trade licenses are required for electrical (CE), plumbing, and HVAC/mechanical work. Homeowners may pull their own permit for personal-use construction once every 24 months under TCA § 62-6-103 — but the project must still meet all code and inspection requirements. Verify licensure at tn.gov/commerce/regboards/contractors.
How to get a building permit in Franklin
Confirm jurisdiction & zoning
Verify the parcel is within Franklin city limits (not unincorporated Williamson County or Brentwood). Confirm zoning compliance.
Prepare plans in PDF
Assemble construction plans in PDF format with all pages in order and labeled. Commercial projects require TN-sealed drawings.
Submit through electronic plan review
Upload plans through the electronic plan review system. Include site plan, floor plans, and required documentation.
Plan review & corrections
Building & Neighborhood Services reviews against adopted codes. Address comments and resubmit as needed.
Pay fees & pull the permit
Pay calculated fees. Post the permit card on site before starting work.
Schedule inspections through CO
Request inspections through the department. Clear all required checkpoints for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Franklin
Schedule inspections through Building & Neighborhood Services. Typical checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit and approved plans on site. A final inspection and CO are required before occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Franklin permitting resources
- 🏛️ Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services
- 📋 Apply for a building permit
- 🏠 All permit types
- 🏢 Williamson County Building Codes
- 🪪 TN Board for Licensing Contractors
- 📘 TN State Fire Marshal
Simplify Franklin permitting with Alliance Permitting
Franklin's electronic plan review requirement, strict code enforcement, stormwater/grading overlay, and historic-district considerations reward applicants who submit properly formatted PDF packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Franklin — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building & Neighborhood Services process, so your Franklin submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Franklin because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Building & Neighborhood Services, the electronic plan review system, and Franklin's stormwater and historic-overlay requirements.
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in Franklin sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Franklin permits while you stay focused on building. Get a free, no-obligation quote today.
More Tennessee permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the City of Franklin Building & Neighborhood Services before filing. This is not legal advice.