Rutherford County
The 2026 reappraisal, rates, unincorporated zoning and the School Facilities Tax
Rutherford County · City and county seat
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
A county seat with its own 2026 tax rate, zoning, impact fees and floodplain rules
Murfreesboro is the Rutherford County seat in Middle Tennessee, with 152,769 residents at the 2020 Census. The city levies its own property tax, set at $0.7529 per $100 for 2026 by Ordinance 26-O-22, and runs its own zoning, floodplain and impact fee rules. The county reappraised in 2026, so check current assessed values.
In short: Murfreesboro is the Rutherford County, Tennessee seat with 152,769 residents. Its city property tax for 2026 is $0.7529 per $100.
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Overview
Murfreesboro at a glance
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| County seat | Rutherford County | Note 1 |
| City status | Recognized as a city by the Legislature in 1817, per the city | Note 1 |
| Government | Council-Manager; a Mayor and six council members | Note 2 |
| Population | 152,769 at the 2020 Census | Note 3 |
| Land area | 62.89 square miles (2020 Census) | Note 3 |
| City Hall | 111 West Vine St., Murfreesboro | Note 4 |
| City property tax, 2026 | $0.7529 per $100 of assessed value (Ordinance 26-O-22). The city’s tax page still shows the old $0.9526 rate and is out of date | Notes 5, 6 |
| County property tax | Reported at $1.4885 per $100 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 by two secondary reports; confirm the rate and tax year with the County Trustee | Notes 7, 8 |
| Assessment and reappraisal | Residential property is assessed at 25% of appraised value. Rutherford County reappraised in 2026, after 2022 | Notes 6, 10, 8 |
| Zoning | Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A of the City Code) administered by the Planning Department | Note 11 |
For county-wide rules, see the Rutherford County guide. ABODE’s Murfreesboro office is in the city.
Setting
What is Murfreesboro’s setting?
A city in the Stones River Watershed, where the city names its major flooding sources.
- Murfreesboro lies in the Stones River Watershed, 556.2 square miles in the county, and the city names the West Fork Stones River and Lytle Creek among its major flooding sources (Note 15).
Local rules
Which rules govern land in Murfreesboro?
Inside city limits the city’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations apply, administered by the Planning Department (Note 11).
- A 2017 version of the zoning chart lists single-family minimum lots from 4,000 square feet (RS-4) to 15,000 square feet (RS-15), the largest in that chart. The chart reviewed lists no estate or agricultural district, but the current 2026 ordinance was not confirmed, so ask Planning for the district and its table (Note 12).
- In the East Main Street Historic Zone, a certificate of appropriateness is needed before applying for a building permit for new structures, additions, demolition, relocation or exterior alteration (Note 13).
- The floodplain ordinance is Section 34. Substantial damage or improvement is triggered when restoration or improvement cost equals or exceeds 50% of the structure’s market value (Note 14).
- The city imposes development impact fees on new development, effective July 1, 2023. The county’s School Facilities Tax is also collected before a permit, including inside cities (Notes 16, 17).
Land outside city limits is in unincorporated Rutherford County, where county rules apply. Confirm which jurisdiction a parcel is in.
Due diligence
What should you check before buying in Murfreesboro?
| Check | Why it matters here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| City or county jurisdiction | Murfreesboro’s city limits and unincorporated Rutherford County follow different zoning and tax rules; confirm which applies to the parcel | Notes 11, 7 |
| Zoning district and lot size | Ask Planning for the district and the current ordinance, since the chart reviewed dates from 2017 | Notes 11, 12 |
| Historic zone review | Work in the East Main Street Historic Zone needs a certificate of appropriateness before a permit | Note 13 |
| Flood status | Check the address on FEMA’s map service and ask the city’s floodplain administrator about Section 34, especially near the West Fork Stones River and Lytle Creek | Notes 14, 15 |
| Impact fees on new construction | Ask Planning for the current fee schedule and the county School Facilities Tax | Notes 16, 17 |
| Tax bill | The city and county are separate levies and the city collects its own. Use the 2026 city rate of $0.7529 and confirm the county rate and billing with the County Trustee | Notes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
This is a checklist, not advice. Confirm each item with the city, Rutherford County and your attorney.
Comparison
How does Murfreesboro compare with nearby places?
| Community | Setting | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County | The surrounding county | County zoning, septic and School Facilities Tax apply outside city limits |
| Williamson County | Neighboring county to the west | A different assessor and trustee |
| Davidson County satellite cities | Nashville area | Metro rates apply; see the guide for which cities have a separate city tax |
Working with ABODE
How does ABODE help in Murfreesboro?
ABODE International Realty LLC is licensed in Tennessee (Real Estate Firm 263936), and its Murfreesboro office at 906 Ridgely Rd, Suite D, is in the city. Buying here starts with the jurisdiction, the 2026 reappraisal and the floodplain. Conversations are private.
Keep reading
Which related guides should you read next?
Williamson County
County-wide property tax by city and school-tax district, unincorporated zoning, septic and greenbelt
Nashville satellite cities: property tax
How Metro rates and a separate city tax combine
Franklin
The county seat, with its own rate and a Franklin Special School District tax district
Nolensville
A town with a 2023 zoning ordinance and its own tax rate
Questions
Murfreesboro real estate: frequently asked questions
What is Murfreesboro’s city property tax rate?
Ordinance 26-O-22 levies the city property tax for 2026 at $0.7529 per $100 of assessed value. The city’s own tax page still shows an older $0.9526 rate, so use the ordinance. Residential property is assessed at 25% of appraised value.
What is the Rutherford County tax rate?
A meeting summary and a local radio report put the county rate at $1.4885 per $100 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The county’s own page was not confirmed, so confirm the rate and tax year with the Rutherford County Trustee.
Did Rutherford County reappraise property in 2026?
Yes. The Rutherford County Property Assessor says the county reappraises every four years, with the last in 2022 and the next in 2026, and a local radio report describes rates certified after the 2026 reappraisal. After a reappraisal, tax rates are re-examined so higher values do not automatically raise taxes.
Does Murfreesboro charge impact fees?
Yes. The city imposes development impact fees on new development, effective July 1, 2023. The county also collects a School Facilities Tax on new residential construction before a permit. Ask Planning and Building Codes for current amounts.
Is Murfreesboro in a flood zone?
It depends on the parcel. The city’s floodplain ordinance is Section 34, and the city names the West Fork Stones River and Lytle Creek among its major flooding sources. Check the address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
Does ABODE International Realty have an office in Murfreesboro?
Yes. ABODE International Realty LLC has an office at 906 Ridgely Rd, Suite D, Murfreesboro, TN 37129, and is licensed in Tennessee as Real Estate Firm 263936. Request a consultation to discuss a purchase or sale.
Private consultation
Request a private Murfreesboro consultation
Tell us what you are weighing. An ABODE advisor replies privately. We aim to reply within one business day.
Sources and notes
- City of Murfreesboro: history. The city says the Legislature recognized it as an official city in 1817. The Tennessee Encyclopedia says it was chartered in 1811, so this guide attributes the 1817 date to the city. The same page identifies Murfreesboro as the Rutherford County seat. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: your government. Council-Manager government; the City Council is a Mayor and six council members. Checked October 5, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFacts, Murfreesboro city. 2020 Census population 152,769 and land area 62.89 square miles. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: City Hall staff directory. City Hall is at 111 West Vine St., Murfreesboro, TN. The directory shows more than one ZIP for the same address, so none is stated here. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: Ordinance 26-O-22. Levies the city property tax for 2026 at $0.7529 per $100. Taxes become delinquent on and after March 1, 2027, with interest at 1.5% a month. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: property taxes page. The page still shows the 2022 rate of $0.9526 per $100 and an older due-date schedule, so it is out of date. The 2026 ordinance controls. The page states assessed value is the appraisal times 25% for residential property. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Citizen Portal: summary of the June 22, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting (secondary). Reports a county rate of $1.4885 per $100 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The county’s own page was not confirmed, so confirm with the County Trustee. Checked October 5, 2026.
- WGNS Radio: certified rates after the 2026 reappraisal (secondary). Lists a 2026 certified county rate of $1.4885 and a Murfreesboro rate of $0.7529, after the 2026 reappraisal. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Rutherford County Trustee: FAQ. Smyrna and Eagleville owners receive one bill for city and county taxes. Murfreesboro levies and collects its own city tax. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Rutherford County Property Assessor: reappraisal. The county reappraises every four years, with the last in 2022 and the next in 2026. After a reappraisal, tax rates are re-examined under the certified rate rules. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: planning and zoning. The Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A of the City Code) and Subdivision Regulations are administered by the Planning Department. The Historic Zoning Commission is advisory. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: Zoning Ordinance Chart 2 (version of August 31, 2017). Single-family minimum lot areas run from 4,000 sq ft (RS-4) to 15,000 sq ft (RS-15). RS-15 is the largest in the chart, and no estate or agricultural district appeared. The current 2026 ordinance was not confirmed. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: Historic Zoning Commission. A certificate of appropriateness is required in the East Main Street Historic Zone before applying for a building permit for new structures, additions, demolition, relocation or exterior alteration. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: substantial damage and substantial improvement. Names the Section 34 floodplain ordinance and says substantial damage or improvement is triggered when the cost of restoring or improving the structure equals or exceeds 50% of its market value. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: Stones River watershed. Murfreesboro is part of the Stones River Watershed, 556.2 square miles in the county; major flooding sources include the West Fork Stones River and Lytle Creek. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Murfreesboro: impact fee schedule for new development. Development impact fees apply to new development, effective July 1, 2023. Amounts were not verified on the city’s page, so ask the Planning Department for the current schedule. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Rutherford County: School Facilities Tax and building codes. The county Building Codes Department collects the county School Facilities Tax for all jurisdictions, including cities, before a building permit is issued. Checked October 5, 2026.