College Grove
An unincorporated community under county zoning, with private club communities nearby
Williamson County, Tennessee · Rules comparison
Which county rules and authorities apply to acreage and estate parcels in three Williamson County villages, and where the sources differ
Williamson County plans College Grove, Arrington and Leiper’s Fork as Villages, none among the six municipalities its building page lists, so county zoning, subdivision and septic rules apply unless a parcel lies inside a city. They differ in plan status: Arrington’s plan cover reads “Adopted March 20, 2025” and calls for a new district, and Leiper’s Fork has a National Register district.
In short: College Grove, Arrington and Leiper’s Fork are county-planned Williamson County villages, so county zoning, subdivision and septic rules apply unless a parcel lies inside a city.
A reference guide, not legal, tax, insurance or engineering advice. Updated October 2026.
All three sit under Williamson County government. What differs is the plan, the zoning district behind it, and how far each plan has gone. Cells say “not confirmed” where we could not read an official source.
| Topic | College Grove | Arrington | Leiper’s Fork | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City or county? | Planned by the county as a Village with a special area plan. Not one of the six municipalities the county’s building page lists | The Arrington plan calls it “one of six Villages.” Not one of the six municipalities the county’s building page lists | Planned by the county as a Village with a special area plan. Not one of the six municipalities the county’s building page lists | Notes 1, 4, 6, 14 |
| Who zones | Williamson County. The 2012 ordinance text says it applies to “the development of all unincorporated land within the boundaries of Williamson County” | Same | Same | Note 2 |
| Zoning district | The 2012 ordinance’s Table 1.07-1 (“Translation to New Zoning Districts”) lists “CGV - College Grove Village District.” Its columns were garbled in the text read | No Arrington district appears in the part of the 2012 ordinance we read. The 2025 plan says the county’s role will be to work with the community to develop a Zoning District tailored specifically to the Arrington Village. Whether one has been adopted was not confirmed | The 2012 table lists “Future LFV - Leiper’s Fork Village District.” The county says the Board of Commissioners adopted the Village District Standards on November 13, 2012, effective January 1, 2013, in Article 10, Section 10.02:(P) of the 2013 ordinance | Notes 2, 4, 6 |
| Plan and status | College Grove Village Special Area Plan. The plan text refers to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan “adopted in the fall of 2007” and states no adoption date for itself | Arrington Village Special Area Plan, cover reads “Adopted March 20, 2025.” The village is 37 parcels, about 325 acres. The county’s Regulations and Plans page lists four plans and not this one | Leiper’s Fork Village Special Area Plan. The plan document itself was not read for this guide | Notes 1, 4, 5, 6 |
| Lot-size language | A 5-acre minimum appears six times, only in the plan’s Appendices A and B, as public-meeting input, including a group-drafted vision statement. It did not appear in the plan’s chapters 1 through 6 as we read them. It is not a confirmed lot size | The plan body states no minimum lot size. “Retain the 5 acre density of the residential areas” appears as a workshop comment | Not confirmed; the ordinance’s current Article 10 and the plan document were not read | Notes 4, 5 |
| Subdivision of land | County Subdivision Regulations, adopted May 13, 2021 and amended August 11, 2022 in the copy read. They apply to subdivision of land within the unincorporated areas | Same | Same | Notes 1, 3 |
Related pages: College Grove, Arrington, Leiper’s Fork and the Williamson County guide.
Most authorities are the same for all three villages. The plans explain intent; the ordinance and regulations are what regulate a parcel.
Community Development Department: (615) 790-5725, 1320 W. Main St., Franklin, TN 37064 (Note 14). Ask which staff handle zoning questions for a parcel.
Septic and subdivision flood rules are county-wide. The utility and parcel facts below come from county plans, which are planning documents and not parcel determinations.
| Topic | College Grove | Arrington | Leiper’s Fork | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Septic regulator | Williamson County Department of Sewage Disposal Management under the Board of Health; permit required before constructing, altering, extending or repairing a system | Same | Same | Notes 7, 8 |
| Sewer and soils (county plan) | The plan says “Sewer service, beyond the use of traditional septic systems, is currently not available in the Village” and that septic use is limited on many properties by a lack of suitable soils. The text read carries no plan date | The plan says “Municipal sewer service is currently not available in the Village” and that septic use is limited on many properties by a lack of suitable soils. It calls for a comprehensive wastewater strategy and consideration of a non-traditional system | Not confirmed; the plan document was not read | Notes 4, 5 |
| Water (county plan) | The plan names the Nolensville/College Grove Utility District and says “sufficient capacity does not currently exist to serve new development in the area,” adding that the district is working with other utility districts for additional capacity. The plan carries no date in the text read | The plan says the Village is serviced by the Milcrofton Utility District for domestic water and fire flows | Not confirmed; no source we opened names the provider | Notes 4, 5 |
| Flood (county plan) | The plan says many eastern properties are within the 100-year floodplain, which it says restricts development there | The plan says all properties on the south side of Murfreesboro Road are within the 100-year floodplain; Arrington Creek, a Harpeth River tributary, runs through the Village | No parcel-level statement found | Notes 4, 5 |
| Flood (county rules) | Subdivision Regulations, Section 3.04(D): the Planning Commission shall not approve a subdivision if buildings or structures would be damaged by flood waters, buildings are “strictly prohibited” within the designated 100-year floodplain and no filling is allowed there. The 2012 ordinance document puts flood standards at Article 13, Section 13.05, “Special Flood Hazard Area Protection Standards”; numbering may have changed | Same | Same | Notes 2, 3 |
| Historic status | The plan says only a few historic structures remain in the Village. It lists six structures on the National Register of Historic Places and says three are within the Village boundaries; the text read did not show which three | The plan’s history section describes sites such as a shopping center built in 1939 and a depot built after the railroad arrived in 1914; the text read names no historic district or overlay | Leipers Fork Historic District, National Register reference 98000818, date published 7/1/1998. The March 1998 form for the original district: about 18 acres, 54 contributing and 21 noncontributing buildings, roughly bounded by Joseph St., Old Highway 96, Old Hillsboro Rd. and Sycamore St. A separate NPS record, 12000967, is titled “Leipers Fork Historic District (Boundary Increase),” and the Tennessee Historical Commission announced on December 28, 2012 that the increase had been added. The current boundary and building counts were not read, so the 1998 figures may not describe the district today | Notes 4, 5, 15, 17 |
| What listing means | Not applicable | Not applicable | The Tennessee Historical Commission calls listing “an honorary designation” that “does not impose restrictions” on owners. It says local historic zoning is separate and tells owners to check with local government for zoning or historic overlays. The county’s Leiper’s Fork plan page does not mention a historic district or overlay | Notes 6, 16 |
A plan’s description of a floodplain or soil condition is general. Ask the county’s septic department and flood administrator, and check current FEMA flood maps, for a specific parcel.
These rules follow the county rather than the village. The county’s own pages disagree on two points, shown in the cells.
| Topic | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Building and other permits can be completed through the county’s Electronic Plan Review System. Department of Building Codes (615) 790-5718; Community Development Department, 1320 W. Main St., Franklin, (615) 790-5725. For building within a municipality, contact that local government | Note 14 |
| Reappraisal cycle | The county’s “Purpose of a Reappraisal” page says reappraisals are mandated by the state every four, five or six years and that “Williamson County is on a four-year cycle.” The Assessor’s Divisions page says the county “is on a five-year cycle” of four years of on-site review followed by revaluation in the fifth year. The county’s 2025 rate document marks 2025, 2021 and 2016 as county-wide reappraisal years, intervals of four and five years. The sources are not reconciled here; ask the Assessor for the next reappraisal year | Notes 9, 10, 11 |
| Taxing authorities on the rate document | The county’s 2025 rate document lists county levies, one special district and separate city and town rates for Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville and Thompson’s Station. Which lines apply depends on where the parcel lies. Ask the Trustee for the parcel’s bill | Note 9 |
| Greenbelt classification | The Comptroller describes the Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act of 1976, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 67-5-1001 to 1050: 15 acres for agricultural and for forest land, 3 acres for open space, applications to the county assessor. Rollback tax is calculated for the preceding three years (agricultural and forest) or five (open space) | Notes 12, 13 |
| Greenbelt first-time deadline | The Comptroller’s page gives March 15 for first-time applications. The Williamson County forms the Comptroller hosts say applications “must be filed by March 1 to be considered for the current tax year,” with later filings processed for the following year. The sources differ; confirm the deadline with the Assessor | Notes 12, 13 |
Greenbelt eligibility depends on use and acreage. This guide does not say whether any parcel qualifies.
We found several points where official pages differ. We report them rather than choosing.
At a city line. Zoning and subdivision rules are written for unincorporated land (Notes 2, 3). The county’s septic regulations state that jurisdiction “also includes all land areas contained within the boundaries of the incorporated cities and towns” in the county (Note 7). The building page says that for building within a municipality you contact that local government (Note 14). Do not assume jurisdiction from a village name or mailing address; confirm the parcel’s location relative to city limits.
Ask for these in writing from the named office, and have your attorney or surveyor review the answers.
| Check | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is the parcel inside any city limits? | County zoning and subdivision rules are written for unincorporated land, while the county septic rules reach into cities and city permits come from the city. Ask for the city or county status in writing, not the village name | Notes 2, 3, 7, 14 |
| Zoning district and current ordinance text | College Grove and Leiper’s Fork have village districts. Arrington’s plan calls for a tailored district, and whether it has been adopted was not confirmed. Ask Planning for the current district and ordinance text | Notes 2, 4, 6 |
| Is the parcel in the Arrington plan area? | The plan’s village is 37 parcels and about 325 acres, not the whole community | Note 4 |
| Septic permit and approval | A county permit is required before constructing, altering, extending or repairing a system. Ask for permits, system type, soils information and service history, and which office issued them | Notes 7, 8 |
| Water provider and capacity for a new connection | The College Grove plan says capacity does not currently exist for new development; the Arrington plan names a different district. Ask the district for the parcel in question | Notes 4, 5 |
| Flood status and subdivision limits | The plans describe floodplain in parts of College Grove and Arrington, and the Subdivision Regulations restrict buildings and fill in the 100-year floodplain when land is subdivided. Check current FEMA maps and ask the county | Notes 3, 4, 5 |
| Lot split or added dwelling | The Subdivision Regulations exempt some divisions into parcels of five acres or more, and the septic regulations define “subdivision” to exclude parts of five acres or larger. The two regulators differ in text, so ask both | Notes 3, 7 |
| Leiper’s Fork historic status | Ask whether the building is in the National Register district, including its 2012 boundary increase, and whether any local overlay applies. The state says listing alone does not restrict owners | Notes 15, 16, 17 |
| Reappraisal year, greenbelt status and deadlines | The county’s pages differ on the cycle and on the greenbelt deadline. Ask the Assessor whether a parcel is classified and what rollback tax applies on a change of use | Notes 9 to 13 |
| Building permit path | Permits run through county Building Codes unless the parcel is in a city; septic, water and flood approvals are separate | Note 14 |
This is a checklist, not advice. Confirm each item with Williamson County and your attorney.
This guide compares rules as the sources state them. It does not decide which village suits a purchase, whether a parcel can be divided or built on, whether a septic system will be approved, what a parcel’s flood risk or insurance cost is, whether it qualifies for greenbelt, or what its tax bill will be. It does not give legal, tax, insurance or engineering advice.
Several things could not be confirmed: the current Zoning Ordinance text, including Article 10 lot and density standards and the current flood article number; the Leiper’s Fork plan’s sewer, water and flood language; the county’s Flooding page; and whether the county has adopted an Arrington district. Planning documents are policy statements and can lag the ordinance. See the Tennessee acreage due-diligence guide for the wider checklist.
An advisor can help you decide which checks to commission first for an acreage or estate parcel in these villages, such as a zoning confirmation from Planning, a septic and soils evaluation, a flood review and a survey, and can coordinate with the surveyor, attorney, soil scientist or lender you choose. ABODE® International Realty represents buyers and sellers and is licensed in Tennessee (broker license 285214).
Tell us the parcel and your inspection timeline, and we will help you put these questions in writing to Williamson County Planning, the utility district and the Assessor. Our Murfreesboro office is at 906 Ridgely Rd, Ste D, (615) 260-6010. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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The county plans each as a Village, and none is among the six municipalities the county’s building page lists (Franklin, Brentwood, Fairview, Nolensville, Spring Hill and Thompsons Station). A parcel’s status depends on whether it lies inside any city limits, so confirm it in writing rather than from the village name.
Williamson County. The ordinance text we could open, the 2012 version, says it applies to the development of all unincorporated land in the county and lists village districts for College Grove (CGV) and Leiper’s Fork (LFV). Ask Planning for the current text, because it may have been amended.
Yes. The Arrington Village Special Area Plan cover reads “Adopted March 20, 2025” and covers 37 parcels, about 325 acres. The plan says the county will work to develop a tailored zoning district, and we could not confirm whether one has been adopted. The county’s Regulations and Plans page still lists four plans without Arrington.
Not as far as the sources we read show. It is a National Register district (reference 98000818), and the Tennessee Historical Commission says listing is honorary and does not restrict owners, and that local historic zoning is separate. The county’s Leiper’s Fork page mentions village district standards, not a historic overlay. Ask Planning whether any local overlay applies to a parcel.
The College Grove plan says sewer service beyond traditional septic is not available, and the Arrington plan says municipal sewer is not currently available. We could not read the Leiper’s Fork plan. Septic is regulated by the county department in each case, so check the parcel.
The county’s reappraisal page says it is on a four-year cycle, while the Assessor’s Divisions page says it is on a five-year cycle, and the county’s rate document marks 2016, 2021 and 2025 as reappraisal years. We have not reconciled these. Ask the Assessor for the next reappraisal year.
The Comptroller’s greenbelt page gives March 15 for first-time applications, while the Williamson County forms the Comptroller hosts say applications must be filed by March 1 to be considered for the current tax year. Confirm with the Assessor, and note that minimum acreage rules apply.
The sources name both. The county regulations say a permit from the county Department of Sewage Disposal Management is required, while the state’s page sends applications to its Division of Water Resources at an Environmental Field Office and lists Williamson among nine contract counties. Ask which office issued an existing permit and which would issue a new one.
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