If you’ve ever cracked open the 140‑page Franklin Historic District Design Guidelines and felt your eyes glaze over faster than Tennessee sweet tea on a July afternoon—take heart. This guide is your clear, compass‑steady companion. We’ve translated the city’s fine print into plain‑spoken steps, stitched every rule to its exact page link, and wrapped it all in the Love • Serve • Build spirit that shapes our work at Epic Life Creative.
Think of your historic home as a hymn handed down through generations—its verses sung in brick, clapboard, and time‑worn trim. An addition or new outbuilding should feel like the harmony line: recognizable, respectful, unmistakably fresh, yet never drowning out the original melody. That’s the heartbeat of Franklin’s code, and it’s the through‑line of this manual.
Inside you’ll find:
Fast‑Track checklists so you know exactly who to call and when (before costly redesigns or surprise rejections).
Green‑light vs. Red‑flag tables turning dense regulations into quick “do this / skip that” snapshots.
Full, copy‑and‑paste URL links to every cited page—no hunting, no guesswork.
Expandable FAQs for the midnight “Wait, can I use HardiePlank?” questions.
Blueprints for accessory buildings (because a studio, garage, or carriage house can sing in harmony, too).
Full‑link format
https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=##
1. The North‑Star Principle
“Additions shall be subordinate and compatible with the historic building, clearly distinguishable as new work.”
https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=35 (Franklin TN)
2. Fast‑Track Checklist
| Step | What to Do | Guideline Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm your lot is inside the Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO). | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=14 |
| 2 | Book the free consult with the City Preservation Planner. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=18 |
| 3 | File a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=19 |
| 4 | Ask if your project qualifies for an Administrative COA or must go to the Historic Zoning Commission. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=21 |
| 5 | After COA approval, pull all other permits (building, grading, sign, etc.). | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=23 |
3. Design Rules for Additions
| Topic | Green‑Light Moves | Red‑Flag Moves | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement | Rear or obscured side. | Primary façade. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=36 |
| Side additions | Width ≤ ⅓ of front façade and set back from historic wall plane. | Same width or projecting. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=37 |
| Footprint | Addition ≤ 50 % of historic footprint and all buildings ≤ 35 % of lot. | Larger than caps. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=38 |
| Height | Ridge lower; match foundation & floor heights. | Taller than original. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=39 |
| Form/Massing | Roof breaks, wall insets, one‑story connectors. | Flat wall wipe‑out. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=40 |
| Roofs | Compatible pitch family; simpler. | Incompatible flat/steep mix. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=41 |
| Materials | Wood lap, brick, stone, smooth fiber‑cement; no vinyl. | Vinyl, vertical board‑and‑batten. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=42 |
| Windows & Doors | TDL/SDL, reuse historic, secondary detailing. | Snap‑in GBG or picture windows. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=43 |
| Porches/Stoops | New only on rear/obscured façades; square wood balusters, brick/stone steps. | Grand new front porch, cast concrete steps. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=44 |
| Decks | Wood, rear yard, low visibility. | Street‑facing deck. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=45 |
| Dormers | Rear roof, recessed ≥ 1 ft, pitch ≥ ½ main roof. | Wall dormers, flush dormers. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=46 |
| Chimneys | Simpler, shorter, brick/stone; low‑profile cap. | Tall faux‑stone stacks. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=47 |
| Gutters/Downspouts | Match profile, tuck away. | Bright PVC front‑and‑center. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=48 |
| Awnings | Duck canvas or cotton/poly blends in traditional shape. | Vinyl awning wall‑to‑wall. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=49 |
| Foundations & Piers | Compatible height; painted block on masonry houses. | Exposed CMU or faux stone. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=50 |
| Trim & Cornices | Match profiles, simplify ornament. | Oversized or modern trim. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=51 |
| Modern Features (HVAC, solar, etc.) | Locate per Chapter 9, rear/roof ridges. | Front‑yard condensers, street‑facing solar. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=127 |
4. Blueprint for Accessory Buildings
| Rule | Guideline Link |
|---|---|
| Locate behind the rear plane of the house, parallel to street. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=102 |
| Max 1½ stories; upper floor ≤ 60 % of lower. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=103 |
| Echo main‑house materials & roof pitch. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=104 |
| Use brick, stone, or painted block piers (no slab). | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=105 |
| Carriage‑style garage doors; plain‑wood pedestrian doors. | https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=106 |
5. Expandable FAQ (links included inside)
6. Handy Numbers
- Preservation Planner – 615‑550‑6737 (Dept. of Planning & Sustainability)
- COA Application & User Guide – https://web.franklintn.gov/flippingbook/designguidelineshzc/?page=19
- Historic Preservation Home – https://www.franklintn.gov/historicpreservation
Who is Epic Life Creative
Epic Life Creative is a graphic design and digital strategy studio based in Franklin, Tennessee. We partner with churches, ministries, and kingdom-minded businesses to bring vision to life through intentional branding, custom websites, SEO, ad management, and creative content that speaks.
Our heartbeat is simple: Love God. Serve people. Build His Kingdom.
Whether you’re a church in need of a refreshed digital presence, a nonprofit looking to expand your reach, or a mission-driven business with a bold story—we’re here to help you shine.
Rooted in Franklin and inspired by the greater story God is telling, we come alongside our clients with prayerful creativity, strategic insight, and a deep desire to see the Gospel beautifully displayed—online and off.
