Franklin publishes its permit fees in plain numbers, including a costly penalty for starting early. Here's what the City's fee schedule says, what Johnson County ground is like, and what patios cost.
Franklin's permit fees, in plain numbers
The City of Franklin's Department of Planning & Engineering fee schedule (last updated July 2021) lists these residential items2.
Read moreShow less: Franklin's permit fees, in plain numbers
| Item | Fee listed |
|---|---|
| Deck | $50 |
| Accessory structure | $50 + $0.10 per sq ft |
| Accessory structure under 120 sq ft, not on a permanent foundation | No permit required |
| Expedited residential review (response within 48 hours) | $125 |
Source: City of Franklin Planning & Engineering fee schedule2. Fees can change; confirm current amounts with the City.
The schedule doesn't list patios by name, so call Planning & Engineering to confirm how your project is classified. A pergola, pavilion or covered outdoor kitchen is the kind of accessory structure the fee table covers. The most important line is the penalty: permit fees are tripled if work begins before a permit is issued. Make sure your contractor has the permit, or the City's written answer that none is needed, before the first shovel goes in.
Ground conditions in Franklin and Johnson County
In the USDA soil survey for Johnson County, Crosby covers roughly 30% of mapped acreage, Miami about 19% and Brookston about 16%3.
Read moreShow less: Ground conditions in Franklin and Johnson County
Crosby and Brookston are the wetter members of that group, somewhat poorly to poorly drained over dense till4. Along the White River in western Johnson County, the ground changes to glacial sand and gravel outwash5, which drains very differently. Ask your contractor what they found when they probed your yard.
Indiana lists a 30-inch frost depth for Johnson County, which applies to footings for pergolas, seat walls and fireplaces6.
What patios cost in Franklin
Angi's 2026 metro-Indianapolis data puts the average paver patio at $3,637, with most homeowners paying $2,297–$6,699, and concrete pavers at about $8–$14 per sq ft1.
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Our cost guide has size-by-size tables, and the Greenwood page covers the northern half of Johnson County.
Permits
Permit rules in Franklin are set by the City of Franklin, not by Indianapolis, and they can change. The contractor you hire should confirm whether your specific project needs a permit and pull it if so. If you want to double-check, call the City of Franklin building or planning department before work starts.
Questions to ask Franklin contractors before you sign
A short checklist for comparing contractors before you sign.
Read moreShow less: Questions to ask Franklin contractors before you sign
- Have you confirmed with the City whether my patio, pergola or kitchen needs a permit?
- Will the permit be issued before you start, so we avoid the triple-fee rule?
- What did you find when you checked my soil, and how deep is the base?
- Who applies for any permit or zoning approval, and is that time in the schedule?
- Is the workmanship warranty in writing, and can you show proof of insurance?
Indiana requires a written contract for home improvement work over $1507. Make sure yours lists scope, materials, price and timeline.
