Short-Term Rental permit in Franklin, TN
Yes — you need a permit for short-term rental work in Franklin.
Residential dwelling used as a short-term vacation rental (not more than four sleeping rooms).
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | Residential dwelling used as a short-term vacation rental… |
| Fee | Short-Term Vacation Rentals Permitting Fee (amount in Appendix A). |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Title 13, Ch. 2 (Sec. 13-201 et seq.); Appendix A fee schedule |
| Based on | Franklin Municipal Code, Title 13, Ch. 2 |
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.
You pull this permit yourself, as the property owner.
If you skip it
Franklin's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
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 | Residential dwelling used as a short-term vacation rental… |
| Clarksville | 53 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Chattanooga | 108 mi | Yes | No one may operate a short-term or vacation rental withou… |
| Knoxville | 162 mi | Yes | Operating a short-term rental needs a permit under Knoxvi… |
| Memphis | 184 mi | Yes | You need a short term rental permit from the city, and yo… |
| Palm Coast | 548 mi | Yes | You must register a short-term or vacation rental with th… |
Other work in Franklin
Questions people ask
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Franklin?
Short-Term Vacation Rentals Permitting Fee (amount in Appendix A).. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
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.