Brentwood Locks In 40% Green Space Rule for New Residential Development

The Brentwood City Commission unanimously approved an update to the city's residential zoning ordinance on final reading at its Monday, July 27 meeting. The revision establishes a minimum 40% green space requirement for all new development in the Agricultural Residential Estate, Large Lot Residential and Suburban Residential zoning districts — the districts that cover most of residential Brentwood.

What did Brentwood actually change?

New residential development in AR, LLR and SR districts must now set aside at least 40% of the site as green space. The commission approved the revision on first reading June 8 and held a public hearing July 13, at which no residents spoke, before the unanimous final reading. It is a permanent density constraint written into the ordinance, not a project-by-project condition.

Does a green space rule raise or lower home values?

In a supply-constrained luxury market, it raises them. A 40% green space floor mathematically reduces the number of lots any given acre can yield, which limits future new-home supply in exactly the districts where buyers most want to live. Existing Brentwood homeowners are the beneficiaries — fewer competing new builds, more protected open space, and a stronger scarcity argument at resale. Buyers pay for that on the front end. Anyone underwriting land for development in Brentwood needs to re-run their yield assumptions.

What else is in front of the Brentwood commission?

The proposed Crews subdivision: annexation of more than 76 acres west of Hillsboro Road and south of Old Hickory Boulevard, with 53 acres zoned Open Space Residential Development and 24 acres Suburban Residential held as a reserve lot. The plan yields just 25 lots and 32 acres of planned green space. First reading passed unanimously July 13. The Planning Commission reviewed it Aug. 3, a public hearing before the City Commission is set for Aug. 10, and second and final reading is scheduled for Aug. 24. Twenty-five lots on 76 acres is a preview of what the new rule produces.

What are Williamson County homes selling for in July 2026?

The county's median crossed the million-dollar line: $1,035,000, with an average closed price of $1,354,577, 4.59 months of supply and just 28 days on market.

The pattern is a top-heavy market. Williamson County's average closed price has pushed toward new highs since March while the middle of the region — the segment most exposed to a 6.66% mortgage rate — produced only 1% to 3% median gains. New listings fell 19% year over year, yet months of supply still rose 17% to 4.92 because closings slipped 8%.

What this means if you own or buy here

• Brentwood homeowners: the 40% green space floor is a long-term supply constraint in your favor. It is now a legitimate part of your resale story, alongside schools.
• Land owners and builders: re-run lot yield in AR, LLR and SR before you close on anything. Crews shows the math: 25 lots on 76 acres.
• Luxury sellers: Williamson's median crossed $1,035,000 and homes still go under contract in about 51 days. That is strength — but list-to-contract time across the region stretched 14% to 58 days, so pricing discipline still decides the outcome.
• Buyers: 19,887 units of total inventory and 4.92 months of supply is the loosest Middle Tennessee has been in years. Structure your offer with terms, not just price.
• Move-up sellers: in a $1M-plus market, carrying two payments is not an option for most families. A guaranteed-sale plan* pins the sale date first so your Brentwood or Franklin purchase closes on your schedule.

Sources: Brentwood City Commission meeting, July 27, 2026, final reading of residential zoning ordinance revision (Williamson Herald, July 29, 2026); Brentwood City Commission first reading of Crews annexation, July 13, 2026 (Williamson Herald, July 16, 2026); Realtracs Middle Tennessee residential sales, report date Aug. 3, 2026.

*Tracy and seller must agree on price and possession date