Driveway permit in Franklin, TN
Yes — you need a permit for driveway work in Franklin.
A driveway entirely on private property is exempt from a building permit, but a zoning permit is required under the Franklin Zoning Ordinance.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | A driveway entirely on private property is exempt from a … |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | IRC R105.2(5), as amended by Sec. 12-1002 |
| Based on | IRC 2024 as amended |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Franklin building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
If you skip it
Work without a required permit is unlawful; the fine is set in Appendix A (comprehensive fees and penalties) and each day is a separate offense.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | — | Yes | A driveway entirely on private property is exempt from a … |
| Brentwood | 7 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Smyrna | 18 mi | Depends | The driveway slab itself is exempt, but cutting the curb … |
| Goodlettsville | 30 mi | Depends | if the driveway joins or cuts a public right-of-way (curb… |
| Hendersonville | 31 mi | Depends | required for a driveway curb cut across a curb or sidewal… |
| Gallatin | 39 mi | Depends | The driveway slab itself is exempt as a driveway; a permi… |
Other work in Franklin
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Franklin can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.