Williamson County
County-wide property tax by city and school-tax district, unincorporated zoning, septic and greenbelt
Williamson County · Franklin and Brentwood
Cool Springs, Tennessee
A commercial and mixed-use area that spans two cities
Cool Springs, Tennessee is a commercial and mixed-use area in Williamson County, not an incorporated city. Neither Franklin nor Brentwood defines one official boundary, and the area is described as lying partly in each. Which city a parcel is in decides its zoning, its city tax ($0.296 in Franklin or $0.19 in Brentwood per $100 for 2026) and its permitting office.
In short: Cool Springs is a mixed-use area in Williamson County, Tennessee, not a city. Whether a parcel is in Franklin or Brentwood decides its zoning and city tax.
Private, strategy-first conversations. Consultation requests do not trigger drip campaigns.
Overview
Cool Springs at a glance
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A commercial center in Williamson County; Wikipedia (a secondary source) says its northern part is in Brentwood and the rest in Franklin | Note 1 |
| Official boundary | None found in either city’s sources; Franklin’s plan defines a McEwen Character Area instead, bounded on the north by Brentwood | Notes 2, 5 |
| Anchor | Franklin’s adopted plan places the Cool Springs Galleria between the Moores Lane and Cool Springs Boulevard interchanges | Note 2 |
| Primary routes | Cool Springs Boulevard and Interstate 65 (Franklin plan); Moores Lane is a Brentwood gateway corridor | Notes 3, 5 |
| City tax by parcel | For 2026, Franklin $0.296 per $100 or Brentwood $0.19 per $100, each billed with the county tax | Notes 10, 11 |
| Census figures | Published for Franklin (83,454) and Brentwood (45,373), not for Cool Springs | Note 12 |
Setting
What is Cool Springs, and which city is it in?
Because it is a district and not a city, the city line through it matters more than the name.
- Wikipedia describes it as a commercial center with its northern part inside Brentwood and the remainder in Franklin, and offers informal bounds that neither city adopts (Note 1).
- Franklin’s plan defines the McEwen Character Area, which holds the Galleria and mixed-use developments, and bounds it on the north by Brentwood (Note 2).
- Franklin lists Murfreesboro Road, Liberty Pike, Cool Springs Boulevard, Mallory Lane and the northern part of Carothers Parkway for access improvements in that area (Note 2).
- The 2025 Franklin Development Report lists a Galleria planned-unit-development revision for mixed-use redevelopment and a public/private partnership on Mallory Lane, Cool Springs Boulevard and I-65 ramp improvements (Note 4).
- The name also belongs to a historic house: Cool Springs House stands in Brentwood’s Crockett Park (Note 6).
Local rules
Whose rules apply in Cool Springs?
The city a parcel sits in sets its zoning, tax and permits.
- Franklin’s ordinance includes Regional Commerce districts (RC4, RC6, RC12) and a General Office district, and Brentwood’s commercial districts are C-1 through C-4, including C-4 for town center uses (Notes 7, 8).
- City property tax for 2026 is $0.296 per $100 in Franklin and $0.19 per $100 in Brentwood, each collected through the Williamson County Trustee (Notes 10, 11, 9).
Which exact roads and parcels fall in Franklin or Brentwood was not defined in the sources reviewed. Confirm a parcel’s city with the Williamson County Assessor.
Due diligence
What should you check before buying near Cool Springs?
| Check | Why it matters here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which city the parcel is in | Franklin and Brentwood have different zoning districts, city tax rates and permit offices | Notes 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Planned redevelopment nearby | Franklin’s 2025 Development Report lists a Galleria mixed-use revision and road partnerships. Ask Planning about projects near an address | Note 4 |
| Road and access projects | Franklin’s plan lists improvements on Mallory Lane, Cool Springs Boulevard and neighboring roads | Note 2 |
| Tax district | Parcels in Franklin may also be in the Franklin Special School District tax district, for which the county lists an additional $0.7673 per $100 for 2026; confirm with the county Assessor | Note 9 |
This is a checklist, not advice. Confirm each item with the City of Franklin or the City of Brentwood.
Comparison
How does Cool Springs compare with nearby places?
| Community | Setting | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin | City; the part outside Brentwood, by Wikipedia’s description | Estate and historic districts elsewhere in the city; $0.296 city tax for 2026 (Note 10) |
| Brentwood | City; northern part of the area by Wikipedia’s description | Large-lot zoning elsewhere in the city; $0.19 city tax for 2026 (Note 11) |
Working with ABODE
How does ABODE help near Cool Springs?
We first establish which city and tax district a property is in, then compare it with options on either side of the line. ABODE International Realty LLC is licensed in Tennessee (Real Estate Firm 263936), and its Murfreesboro office lists Cool Springs, Franklin and Brentwood as service areas. Conversations are private.
Keep reading
Which related guides should you read next?
Franklin
The county seat, with its own rate and a Franklin Special School District tax district
Brentwood
A city with its own zoning and a $0.19 city rate for 2026
Nolensville
A town with a 2023 zoning ordinance and its own tax rate
Thompson’s Station
A town with its own Land Development Ordinance and transect zoning
Questions
Cool Springs real estate: frequently asked questions
Is Cool Springs a city?
No. Cool Springs is an area, mostly a commercial and mixed-use center, in Williamson County. Wikipedia describes it as lying partly in Brentwood and partly in Franklin, and neither city’s planning sources define one official boundary.
Is Cool Springs in Franklin or Brentwood?
Both, according to Wikipedia’s description. Franklin’s plan places the Galleria in its McEwen Character Area, bounded on the north by Brentwood. Confirm a specific parcel’s city with the Williamson County Assessor.
Why does the city matter for a Cool Springs address?
Zoning districts, city property tax and permitting differ between the two cities. The city tax for 2026 is $0.296 per $100 of assessed value in Franklin and $0.19 in Brentwood, each billed through the county Trustee.
What is the Cool Springs House?
It is a historic house in Brentwood’s Crockett Park at 1500 Volunteer Parkway, which the city lists among its historic sites (Note 6). It is a different thing from the commercial area that shares its name.
Does ABODE International Realty work near Cool Springs?
ABODE International Realty LLC is licensed in Tennessee as Real Estate Firm 263936, and its Murfreesboro office lists Cool Springs, Franklin and Brentwood among its service areas. Request a consultation to discuss a purchase or sale.
Private consultation
Request a private Cool Springs consultation
Tell us what you are weighing. An ABODE advisor replies privately. We aim to reply within one business day.
Sources and notes
- Cool Springs, Tennessee (Wikipedia). Secondary source. It describes Cool Springs as a commercial center with its northern part in Brentwood and the rest in Franklin, and gives informal bounds that neither city confirms. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Envision Franklin: McEwen Character Area. Franklin’s adopted plan places the Galleria between the Moores Lane and Cool Springs Boulevard interchanges and defines the McEwen Character Area, bounded on the north by Brentwood. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Envision Franklin: primary routes. Names Cool Springs Boulevard and Interstate 65 among Franklin’s primary routes. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Franklin: 2025 Development Report. Lists a Galleria planned-unit-development revision and a Mallory Lane and I-65 ramp partnership. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Brentwood 2030 Plan. Refers to “east and west areas of Cool Springs” without defining boundaries and lists Moores Lane as a gateway corridor. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Brentwood: Crockett Park. Crockett Park, at 1500 Volunteer Parkway, is home to the historic Cool Springs House. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Franklin Zoning Ordinance (Regional Commerce and General Office districts). Franklin has Regional Commerce districts (RC4, RC6, RC12) and a General Office district. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Brentwood: zoning districts. Brentwood’s commercial districts are C-1 through C-4; the page describes C-4 as the town center district. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: 2026 property tax rates and calculator (county page). County rates by area for tax year 2026, including the Franklin Special School District additional tax of $0.7673 per $100. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Franklin: property taxes. City rate $0.296 per $100. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Brentwood: FY2026-27 budget. City rate $0.19 per $100 for FY2026-27, the 2026 rate. Checked October 5, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Franklin and Brentwood. Census publishes figures for Franklin and Brentwood, not for Cool Springs as a unit. Checked October 5, 2026.