Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Franklin, Texas

Franklin’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  All new structures within Franklin city limits.

  • Permit must be obtained before construction begins.

  “All new structures within the City limits must have a building permit before construction can begin.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Travel trailers and recreational vehicles used as residences inside Franklin city limits.

  • A residence is defined as occupancy for longer than 14 days in any one 30-day period.

  residential occupancy threshold: > 14 days in any one 30-day period

  “Travel Trailers/Recreational vehicles cannot be used within the City limits as a residence (defined as occupied for longer than 14 days in any one 30-day period).”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes moved into Franklin city limits.

  • The owner must obtain a City Hall permit before moving the home into city limits.
  • The home must be HUD-code and pre-approved by the city before it is moved.
  • The owner must comply with the ordinance governing manufactured homes.

  manufactured-home permit cost: 50 USD

  “Before a manufactured home can be moved into the City limits, the owner must obtain a permit from City hall. The permit cost is $50. The home must be a HUD-code manufactured home and be pre-approved by the City before the home can be moved into the City.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  New-structure and manufactured-home permits inside Franklin city limits.

  • Building-permit cost is based on the structure's value.
  • For residential construction, the minimum fee is calculated using the stated valuation basis.

  residential minimum fee valuation basis: 66 USD per heated square foot (Applies to residential construction.) · manufactured-home permit cost: 50 USD (For a manufactured home moved into city limits.)

  “The permit cost is based on the value of the structure being built. For residential construction the minimum fee will be calculated on a valuation of $66 per heated square foot.”

Rules another office applies inside Franklin

Franklin does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Septic permitLimited

  On-site sewage facilities inside Franklin city limits where an OSSF is used instead of municipal sewer service.

  • A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an OSSF.
  • An OSSF may be exempt under the state-described 10-acre rule or for listed emergency repairs.
  • Applicants must check with the local permitting authority because local programs can be more stringent than state minimums.

  minimum tract for described permit exemption: >= 10 acres (Only if all listed state conditions for the 10-acre rule are met.)

  “A permit and approved plan are required to construct, alter, repair, extend, and operate an OSSF.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Off-grid sanitation using an on-site sewage facility inside Franklin city limits.

  • A permit and approved plan are required for an OSSF unless an identified state exception applies.
  • The applicable local permitting authority may impose more stringent requirements.

  “Permits are required for on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) including septic systems and holding tanks.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Franklin or Robertson County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built structures inside Franklin city limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Franklin city limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Franklin city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Franklin city limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Franklin city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.