Franklin
The county seat, with its own rate and a Franklin Special School District tax district
Middle Tennessee · County guide
Williamson County, Tennessee
Property tax, jurisdiction and ownership rules by place
Williamson County, Tennessee has no single property tax rate. The county’s own 2026 rate page lists $1.30 per $100 of assessed value in most areas, $1.27 inside Franklin without the Franklin Special School District, and separate city and district rates on top. Homes are assessed at 25% of appraised value, so check the exact parcel.
In short: Williamson County, Tennessee has no single property tax rate. For 2026 the county lists $1.30 per $100 in most areas, with city and Franklin Special School District tax rates added.
Private, strategy-first conversations. Consultation requests do not trigger drip campaigns.
Overview
Williamson County at a glance
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| County seat | Franklin (Wikipedia, a secondary source) | Note 8 |
| Created | October 26, 1799, by the Tennessee General Assembly (Tennessee Encyclopedia, a secondary source) | Note 7 |
| 2020 Census population | 247,726 | Note 6 |
| Land area | 582.86 square miles (Census) | Note 6 |
| Cities that levy their own property tax | Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, Nolensville, Spring Hill and Thompson’s Station | Note 1 |
| County property tax rate, 2026 | $1.30 per $100 of assessed value, the same as 2025 and down from $1.88 in 2024; 2025 was a county-wide reappraisal year | Notes 1, 2 |
| Assessment ratio | 25% of appraised value for residential property (40% for commercial and industrial) | Notes 5, 3 |
| Reappraisal cycle | Every four years; 2025 is marked as a reappraisal year in the county’s 2025 rate table | Notes 4, 2 |
| Rates after a reappraisal | In a reappraisal year, the rate that raises the same revenue as the year before is the certified rate; a taxing body can adopt a higher rate only after public notice and a hearing | Note 30 |
| Who bills the tax | The County Trustee bills the county tax and the taxes of Brentwood, Fairview, Franklin, Nolensville and Thompson’s Station; Spring Hill collects its own city tax | Notes 2, 1 |
Place guides: Franklin, Brentwood, Cool Springs, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station, College Grove and Leiper’s Fork.
Property tax
How do 2026 property tax rates differ across Williamson County?
Every parcel pays a county rate. What changes is the county component, whether the parcel is in a city, and whether it is in the Franklin Special School District tax district.
- The county’s 2026 page lists these county-rate cases: $1.30 county-wide; $1.27 inside Franklin without the district; $1.18 plus the district rate inside Franklin and the district; and $1.21 plus the district rate outside Franklin but inside the district (Note 1). The county’s 2025 table applied the $1.30 rate inside Brentwood, Fairview, Nolensville and Thompson’s Station (Note 2), and this guide uses the same assignment for 2026. For unincorporated land outside the district, $1.30 is ABODE’s reading of the table; confirm with the Trustee.
- The Franklin Special School District’s additional tax for 2026 is $0.7673 per $100, up from $0.5873 in 2025 and $0.8151 in 2024 (Notes 1, 2). This guide treats it only as a tax district; whether a parcel is inside it is an Assessor question.
- City rates for 2026 are Brentwood $0.19, Franklin $0.296, Nolensville $0.34, Thompson’s Station $0.103 and Fairview $0.8404 (2025: $0.5904); Spring Hill’s listed rate is $0.739 and is collected by the city (Notes 1, 2).
- The county says the county and each city set their own rates each year and that the Trustee bills them (Note 28). Confirm a parcel’s current rates with the Trustee or Assessor.
Spring Hill’s own resolution acknowledges a lower certified (tax-neutral) rate of $0.5353 per $100 for its Williamson County portion for fiscal 2025-26 than the $0.739 the county lists (Note 29). A certified rate and an adopted rate can differ, so confirm Spring Hill’s rate with the city.
Unincorporated county
What rules apply outside the cities?
Places such as College Grove and Leiper’s Fork are unincorporated, so Williamson County, not a city, governs zoning there.
- The county zoning ordinance governs development in the unincorporated areas; it was adopted May 14, 2012 and took effect January 1, 2013, and has been amended since (Notes 9, 10).
- The county has special area plans for College Grove, Leiper’s Fork, Grassland and Triune (Note 11).
- The county’s Subdivision Regulations, adopted May 13, 2021 and amended November 9, 2023, apply to subdividing land in unincorporated areas (Note 12).
- A news report says that in November 2020 the commission changed areas zoned one unit per acre to one unit per five acres in unincorporated areas, with room for smaller lots for immediate family; check the parcel’s district with county Planning (Note 13).
This page does not reproduce minimum lot sizes or setbacks. Ask county Planning for the current ordinance and the district for the address you are considering.
Due diligence
What should you check before buying in Williamson County?
| Check | Why it matters here | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Which tax district the parcel is in | City limits and the Franklin Special School District tax change the combined rate. In the 2026 table below the combined rate runs from $1.30 to $2.2433 per $100, a spread of about $0.94. Ask the Assessor and Trustee for the exact parcel | Note 1 |
| Assessed value, not price | Tax is based on the Assessor’s appraisal at 25% for residential property, not on what you pay. Appraisals are reset in reappraisal years | Notes 3, 4 |
| Septic approval and records | The county’s Department of Sewage Disposal Management enforces local septic rules under the Board of Health. A house cannot be built before plan and lot-suitability approval, and an existing system may need upgrading if bedrooms are added or square footage grows by more than 50% | Notes 14, 15 |
| Flood zone | The county tells owners to check floodplain status on FEMA’s map service. A new county flood map was proposed in 2023, so confirm which map is effective | Notes 22, 23, 21 |
| Fees on new construction | The county charges a privilege tax and an education impact fee on new construction, separate from permit fees. Ask Building Codes for the current schedule | Note 20 |
| Greenbelt status | Qualifying farm, forest and open-space land can be assessed at current-use value. County forms require 15 acres for forest and agricultural land and 3 acres for open space; the county forms say March 1, and the state page says March 15 for first-time filings, so confirm the deadline with the Assessor | Notes 24, 25 |
| Parcel records | Assessment and parcel maps are kept by the Assessor; deeds and titles by the Register of Deeds | Notes 26, 27 |
This is a checklist, not tax or legal advice. Confirm each item with the county and your attorney.
Rates by place
What are the 2026 published rates, added together?
| Place | 2026 county component + other levies, per $100 | 2026 combined, per $100 | 2026 illustrative annual tax on $1M appraised | 2025 combined, per $100 (prior year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated county, outside the Franklin Special School District tax district (county-wide rate; ABODE’s reading, confirm with the Trustee) | $1.30 | $1.30 | $3,250 | $1.30 |
| Brentwood | $1.30 + city $0.19 | $1.49 | $3,725 | $1.49 |
| Thompson’s Station | $1.30 + city $0.103 | $1.403 | $3,508 | $1.403 |
| Nolensville | $1.30 + city $0.34 | $1.64 | $4,100 | $1.64 |
| Fairview | $1.30 + city $0.8404 | $2.1404 | $5,351 | $1.8904 |
| Franklin, outside the Franklin Special School District tax district | $1.27 + city $0.296 | $1.566 | $3,915 | $1.566 |
| Franklin, inside the Franklin Special School District tax district | $1.18 + district $0.7673 + city $0.296 | $2.2433 | $5,608 | $2.0633 |
| Outside Franklin, inside the Franklin Special School District tax district | $1.21 + district $0.7673 | $1.9773 | $4,943 | $1.7973 |
Same figures as the table above. Source: the county’s 2026 rate page, added by ABODE.
Source: the county’s 2026 rate page (Note 1) and 2025 table (Note 2); the assessment ratio is from Notes 5 and 3. The county’s 2026 combined examples for county-only, Franklin with the district and outside Franklin with the district match this table; the other rows are ABODE’s additions. Spring Hill is omitted because its city rate needs confirming. Exemptions, tax relief programs and each parcel’s actual appraisal are not modeled.
Working with ABODE
How does ABODE help in Williamson County?
Buying here starts with the parcel: its city or unincorporated status, its tax district, its septic and flood records and, for acreage, its zoning district and any greenbelt status. ABODE International Realty LLC is licensed in Tennessee (Real Estate Firm 263936) and its Murfreesboro office lists Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station, College Grove and Leiper’s Fork among the areas it serves. We keep conversations private.
Keep reading
Which related guides should you read next?
Brentwood
A city with its own zoning and a $0.19 city rate for 2026
Cool Springs
A commercial and mixed-use area spanning Franklin and Brentwood
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
College Grove
An unincorporated community under county zoning, with private club communities nearby
Leiper’s Fork
An unincorporated village with a National Register historic district
Rutherford County
The 2026 reappraisal, rates, unincorporated zoning and the School Facilities Tax
Questions
Williamson County real estate: frequently asked questions
Why do property taxes differ across Williamson County?
Every parcel pays a county rate, and the county component itself differs by area. On top of that, a parcel in a city pays that city’s rate, and parcels in the Franklin Special School District pay an additional district rate. For 2026, the combined county, city and district rate in the table above runs from $1.30 to $2.2433 per $100 of assessed value; the 2025 range was $1.30 to $2.0633.
How much more is the tax inside the Franklin Special School District?
For 2026 the county lists a district rate of $0.7673 per $100 of assessed value, up from $0.5873 in 2025. Inside Franklin and the district the county component is $1.18 instead of $1.27, so with Franklin’s $0.296 city rate the combined rate is $2.2433, against $1.566 inside Franklin without the district. Confirm a parcel’s district with the Assessor.
How is a home’s assessed value calculated?
The Assessor appraises the property and multiplies the appraisal by 25% for residential property (Notes 3, 5). The county reappraises every four years, and 2025 was a reappraisal year (Notes 4, 2). After a reappraisal the certified rate is the rate that raises the same revenue as the year before, and a taxing body can adopt a higher rate only after public notice and a hearing (Note 30).
What taxes are paid when a Tennessee home sells?
Tennessee’s realty transfer (recordation) tax is 37 cents per $100 of consideration (Notes 16, 18), and the Department of Revenue’s manual says the grantee or transferee shown on the instrument is responsible for paying it (Note 17). A mortgage tax of 11.5 cents per $100 of debt, with the first $2,000 exempt, applies to the loan (Note 19). Your closing agent can give exact figures.
Who permits septic systems in Williamson County?
The county’s Department of Sewage Disposal Management administers onsite septic regulations under the Board of Health, and the state environment department lists Williamson County as a contract county with its own septic services. Ask for the property’s septic records before you buy.
Does ABODE International Realty serve Williamson County?
ABODE International Realty LLC is licensed in Tennessee as Real Estate Firm 263936, and its Murfreesboro office lists Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station, College Grove and Leiper’s Fork among its service areas. Request a consultation to discuss a purchase or sale.
Private consultation
Request a private Williamson County consultation
Tell us what you are weighing. An ABODE advisor replies privately. We aim to reply within one business day.
Sources and notes
- Williamson County: 2026 property tax rates and calculator (county page). The county’s own rate page for tax year 2026: county rates by area, the Franklin Special School District rate and each city’s rate. Rates are reset each year, so confirm a parcel’s current rates with the Trustee. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: 2025 property tax rates (county document). The county’s rate table for tax year 2025, with 2024 comparison rates. It marks 2025 as a county-wide reappraisal year and is used here as the prior-year comparison. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: property tax FAQ (Assessor). States how assessed value is calculated. Its sentence about the last and next reappraisal is out of date (it still says 2021 and 2025). Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: purpose of a reappraisal. States the four-year reappraisal cycle. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Code Annotated, section 67-5-801 (assessment ratios), via Justia. The state law that sets the 25% residential ratio. Checked October 5, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Williamson County, Tennessee. Source for the 2020 Census population and land area. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Encyclopedia: Williamson County. Secondary source for the county’s creation date. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County, Tennessee (Wikipedia). Secondary source for the county seat. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: Zoning. Describes what the county zoning ordinance governs. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: Zoning Ordinance. States the ordinance’s adoption and effective dates. The county says its online copy is a convenience and not a legal document. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: Regulations and Plans. Lists the county’s special area plans. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County Subdivision Regulations (county document). Adoption and amendment dates. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson Herald: county passes zoning changes to decrease development. Secondary news report of the November 2020 change to one unit per five acres in some unincorporated areas. Confirm the district and current rule with county Planning. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: onsite sewage disposal regulations (county document). Describes the county Department of Sewage Disposal Management and the buyer-relevant rules. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation: septic contacts by region. Lists Williamson County as a contract county with its own septic services. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Code Annotated, section 67-4-409 (recordation tax), via Justia. The state’s realty transfer (recordation) tax rate and payer. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: realty transfer tax manual (March 2023). States that the grantee or transferee shown on the instrument is responsible for paying the realty transfer tax. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: recordation taxes. Where the realty transfer tax is paid. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Department of Revenue: recordation tax rates and due dates. The mortgage (indebtedness) tax rate. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: Building Codes. Names the privilege tax and education impact fee on new construction. Checked October 5, 2026.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Official source for flood hazard maps, searchable by address. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: Flooding. Directs owners to check floodplain status. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map notice (county document). A 2023 notice with a target effective date of fall 2024; the current effective date was not confirmed for this guide. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Comptroller: Greenbelt (Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Land Act). The state program page. It gives a March 15 first-time filing date; the county’s forms give March 1. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County Greenbelt application forms (Comptroller-hosted). County forms: 15 acres for forest and agricultural land, 3 acres for open space, and a March 1 deadline. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County Property Assessor: divisions. Where the county’s assessment and parcel records are kept. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County Register of Deeds: Professional Access. Subscription site for deeds, titles and county maps. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Williamson County: how property taxes are set and billed. States that the county and each city set their own rates and that the Trustee bills. Checked October 5, 2026.
- City of Spring Hill: Resolution 25-129 (certified tax rate). Acknowledges a certified (tax-neutral) rate of $0.5353 per $100 for Spring Hill’s Williamson County portion for fiscal year 2025-26. Checked October 5, 2026.
- Tennessee Comptroller: certified tax rate after reappraisal. Explains the certified rate. Checked October 5, 2026.