Franklin, NC Planning Department
Justin Setser, Town Planner(828) 524-2516 ext. 311 or jsetser@franklinnc.com
Town PlannerJustin Setser
Welcome to the Town of Franklin's Planning Department. Justin Setser is a native of Macon County. Upon graduation from Franklin High School Justin attended Haywood Community College, receiving an Associates Degree in GIS/GPS Technology in 2006. Justin was the former GIS Analyst for Macon County. Justin is a Franklin Fire Department Captain and served on the Town Planning Board and Board of Adjustment prior to his appointment as Town Planner. Justin is a North Carolina Certified Zoning Official (CZO). Justin is proud to be an Eagle Scout. Justin is married to Kara and they have a daughter.
Planning DepartmentWhat We Do
The Town of Franklin Planner / Land Use Administrator is responsible for the over site and enforcement of the Town of Franklin Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Sign Ordinance, Flood Ordinance, Abandoned Car Ordinance, Nuisance Ordinance, Minimum Housing Ordinance and Wireless Telecommunication Ordinance.
The Town Planner also serves as the IT Director for the Town of Franklin.
OrdinancesView Town of Franklin Ordinances
PoliciesDownload Town of Franklin Policies
» Voluntary Annexation Policy (PDF)
» Grease Trap Policy (PDF)
OTHER Policies
» NCDOT Policy on Street & Driveway Access to North Carolina Highways (Link/PDF)
Forms, Permits & ApplicationsDownload in PDF Format
» Application to Amend UDO Text (PDF)
» Petition for Rezoning (PDF)
» Petition for Annexation (PDF)
» Annexation Notary Page (PDF)
» Land Development Permit (PDF)
» Flood Development Permit (PDF)
» Minimum Housing Complaint Form (PDF)
» Sign Permit Application (PDF)
» Special Event Banner Application (PDF)
» Special Use Permit Application (PDF)
» Wireless Telecommunication Application (PDF)
» Variance Application (PDF)
» Application for Appeal (PDF)
Other DownloadsAdditional Documents
» Franklin Town Limits & ETJ (PDF)
» New Zoning Map (PDF)
» Principles of Growth (PDF)
» Franklin Parking Study (PDF)
» Downtown Master Plan (PDF)
» BikeWalk Franklin (PDF)
» Clay Macon Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF)
Franklin Town Plan
The Town of Franklin community is embarking on an exciting effort to create the first Franklin Town Plan, a comprehensive land use plan that sets a vision for the community and guides growth and investment for years to come. We hope you’ll be an active part of creating this plan, and will stay up to date on the project by visiting the project website www.franklintownplan.com.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey
Macon and Clay Counties, the Towns of Franklin, Hayesville and Highlands, along with other participating stakeholders, are now working to update the region’s multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to identify and assess our community’s natural hazard risks and determine how to best minimize or manage those risks. Upon completion, the Plan will represent a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for the two-county region.
This survey questionnaire provides an opportunity for you to share your opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process. The information you provide will help us better understand your hazard concerns and can lead to mitigation activities that should help lessen the impact of future hazard events. Click here to participate in the survey
Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Vacancies
The Town of Franklin is currently seeking to fill one vacancy on the Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment. The Town is looking for an alternate ETJ resident to serve as a representative on this board that serves on both the Planning board and the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m. and the Planning Board meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 4:00 p.m. The meetings are held in the Town Hall Board Room. A time commitment of approximately 2 hours a month is necessary. A resume and current address is required. For more information or to express an interest in serving on the board, please contact Town Planner, Justin Setser at (828) 524-2516.
Schedule of Fees for Zoning & Signs
If work is commenced before obtaining the proper permits the permit fee doubles.
Square Foot Area is gross area of building or sign, no exclusions.
Applicants are responsible for all advertising and administrative costs.
| Fee Type | Fee Schedule |
|---|---|
| Annexation - Satellite | $500.00 |
| Sign Permit (per sign) | $40.00 + 0.25 per square foot |
| Land Development Permits | |
| Single Family Detached | $50.00 |
| Accessory Building on SF Lot up to 12'x12' | $20.00 |
| Multi-Family (per unit) | $25.00 |
| Apartment Buildings (per apartment) | $15.00 |
| Commercial in C-1 - Downtown | $75.00 |
| Commercial in C-2 - Other Area | $100.00 |
| Commercial in C-3 - Highway | $150.00 |
| Industrial | $200.00 |
| NMU, TND, & MICR per commercial unit | $75.00 |
| Zoning Compliance Letter | $25.00 |
| Site Plan Review & Development Permit | |
| Preliminary | $100.00 |
| Final | $100.00 |
| Subdivisions | |
| Minor - Residential 2 Lots | $100.00 |
| Major - Residential 3 to 25 Lots | $250.00 |
| Major - Residential 26+ Lots | $250.00 + $15.00/lot > 25 |
| Commercial / Industrial | $300.00 |
| Amendment (Text) | $75.00 |
| Appeals | $25.00 (refundable) |
| Rezoning to: | |
| R-1 or R-2 | $50.00 |
| NMU, MICR, PUD, TND, & UV | $150.00 |
| C-1, C-2, C-3, or I-1 | $200.00 |
| Special Use Permit | $150.00 |
| Variance | $150.00 |
Planning Board & Board of Adjustment Members
The Planning Board is an advisory board to the Town of Franklin, NC Board of Aldermen. The planning board reviews rezoning requests, text amendments and special use permits that require planning board comments.
The Board of Adjustment preforms quasi-judicial hearings for variance and appeal requests for Town of Franklin ordinances.
MEMBERSHIP: Seven total members; five (5) Town (T), and two (2) ETJ (E), plus one (1) alternate each.
» Download Town of Franklin Planning Board / Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure (PDF Format)
Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Members
| Name | Term Expires | Area Represented |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Tom Harris, Chair | November 05, 2021 | Town |
| Janet J. Greene, Vice-Chairman | February 04, 2022 | ETJ |
| Denton Higdon | February 04, 2022 | Town |
| Susie Ledford | February 04, 2022 | Town |
| Peter Mosco | September 04, 2021 | Town |
| Dave Jones | July 01, 2021 | ETJ |
| Andrew Raby | November 05, 2021 | Town |
| James Smith | June 04, 2021 | Town Alt |
Planning Board Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Town of Franklin Planning Board are held the 3rd Monday of each month (with the exception of holidays) beginning at 4:00 pm in the Town Hall Boardroom at 95 East Main Street in Franklin, NC. For information call 828-524-2516. Please note meetings will be cancelled if there is no business to bring before the Board.
January 21, 2020 (Tuesday)
February 17, 2020
March 16, 2020
April 20, 2020
May 18, 2020
June 15, 2020
July 20, 2020
August 17, 2020
September 21, 2020
October 19, 2020
November 16, 2020
December 21, 2020
For the latest meeting information please click here to visit the Town of Franklin's Public Notices page.
Board of Adjustment Meetings
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Town of Franklin Board of Adjustment are held the 2nd Monday of each month (with the exception of holidays) beginning at 4:00 pm in the Town Hall Boardroom at 95 East Main Street in Franklin, NC. For information call 828-524-2516. Please note meetings will be cancelled if there is no business to bring before the Board.
January 13, 2020
February 10, 2020
March 09, 2020
April 13, 2020
May 11, 2020
June 08, 2020
July 13, 2020
August 10, 2020
September 14, 2020
October 12, 2020
November 09, 2020
December 14, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who do I call if I have questions regarding the Planning Board?
A. You may call the Town of Franklin and ask for Justin Sester, Town Planner. Contact Justin Setser 828- 524-2516 ext. 311 jsetster@franklinnc.com.