Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Hodgenville, Magnolia, Buffalo & LaRue County
📍 County Seat: Hodgenville (pop. ~3,259) 👥 County Pop. 14,398 (2020) ⚖️ Court: LaRue County Justice Center — 209 W. High St., Hodgenville 🪵 Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS • Knob Creek Farm 🌾 Knob Country • Rolling Bluegrass Transition 🏭 I-65 Corridor • Elizabethtown & Fort Knox Commuter
LaRue County was established on March 4, 1843 from Hart County and named for John P. LaRue, an early Kentucky settler and land surveyor who established one of the first settlements near present-day Hodgenville in the 1770s. The county seat, Hodgenville, was incorporated in 1818 and is best known today as the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site, administered by the National Park Service, encompasses both the symbolic birth cabin site at Sinking Spring Farm and the nearby Knob Creek Farm where Lincoln spent his early childhood years from age two to seven. LaRue County covers approximately 262 square miles of rolling knob country terrain in central Kentucky and recorded a 2020 census population of 14,398 residents.
LaRue County occupies a transitional geographic zone between the inner bluegrass and the more rugged knob terrain to the south and west. The county’s economy rests on agriculture (cattle, hay, tobacco), public employment (LaRue County Schools, county government), light manufacturing, and a significant commuter workforce traveling to neighboring Hardin County (Elizabethtown, Fort Knox, BlueOval SK) roughly 15–20 miles to the northwest. The Lincoln tourism connection sustains a modest heritage visitor economy centered on Hodgenville’s courthouse square, where a prominent bronze statue of Lincoln stands. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the LaRue County Justice Center, 209 W. High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🪵 Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace & Knob Creek Childhood — Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 at Sinking Spring Farm in what is now LaRue County; he spent his early childhood years from ages two to seven at Knob Creek Farm nearby before the family moved to Indiana in 1816; both sites are preserved by the National Park Service as part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site |
🗿 Lincoln Statue on the Courthouse Square — Hodgenville’s courthouse square features a well-known bronze seated statue of Abraham Lincoln that has become one of the county’s most photographed landmarks and the center of the modest Lincoln heritage tourism economy that draws visitors to Hodgenville throughout the year |
🌾 Knob Country Transition Terrain — LaRue County sits at the geographic transition between the inner bluegrass limestone belt and the sandstone knob country to the south and west; the rounded knobs that give the region its name are remnants of an ancient sandstone cap that has resisted erosion, creating the rolling hill-and-hollow terrain that defines the county’s agricultural landscape |
🚗 Elizabethtown & BlueOval SK Commuter County — LaRue County’s proximity to Hardin County has made it a bedroom community for workers employed at Fort Knox, Hardin Memorial Hospital, Elizabethtown businesses, and the growing BlueOval SK battery campus in Glendale; the commute to Elizabethtown via KY-61 or US-31E runs 15–20 minutes in normal traffic
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Hodgenville (~3,259)
Other Communities
Magnolia, Buffalo, Glendale (shared with Hardin Co.), Summersville, Athertonville
County Population
14,398 (2020) • Modest growth from Hardin Co. commuter demand
Region
Central KY • Knob Country • Lincoln Trail Area Development District
Major Employers
LaRue County Schools, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NPS, county/state government, agriculture (cattle, hay, tobacco), commuter employment in Elizabethtown, Fort Knox & BlueOval SK (Hardin Co.)
Eviction Court
District Court — LaRue County Justice Center
Court Address
209 W. High St., Hodgenville, KY 42748
Court Phone
(270) 358-3717 (verify with clerk)
Rent Control
None — Kentucky preempts local rent control
Governing Law
KRS Chapter 383 / HB128 (2023) for leases on or after effective date
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure; termination no sooner than 30 days
Month-to-Month Term.
1 Month’s Written Notice
Week-to-Week Term.
5-Day Written Notice
Eviction Filing Location
LaRue County Justice Center — 209 W. High St., Hodgenville
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical after notice period
Security Deposit Cap
2× monthly rent (plus 1st month’s rent & fees)
Deposit Return
30 days with itemized deductions
Deposit Penalty
$250 or 2× amount withheld, whichever greater
Habitability Duty
Nonwaivable (KRS 383.595 / HB128)
Statute
KRS Chapter 383 — HB128 (2023 Session)
LaRue County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in LaRue County are filed in District Court at the LaRue County Justice Center, 209 W. High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748. Phone: (270) 358-3717. Hodgenville is a small county seat; street parking is available near the justice center. Verify current office hours, clerk contact, and civil hearing schedule before filing.
Nonpayment of Rent — Notice
Under HB128 (KRS 383.660), serve the tenant a 14-day written notice to pay or vacate stating the specific termination date. Retain dated, verifiable proof of service. If the tenant pays in full within 14 days, the lease continues.
Lease Violation — Notice & Cure
For non-rent violations, serve a 14-day written notice to cure or quit specifying the exact breach. If remedied within 14 days, the lease continues. If not, termination no sooner than 30 days from original notice. Consult a Kentucky attorney for repeat violations or criminal acts.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice required (KRS 383.695). Week-to-week: 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent. Held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account. Return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater. Document move-in and move-out condition with signed checklist and dated photographs.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories: structural integrity, weatherproofing, plumbing, water, heating/ventilation, electrical, pest/hazardous substances (lead, mold, asbestos), common areas, trash, floors/walls/windows, appliances, locks, and safety equipment. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Landlord Entry — Notice
Standard entry: 24 hours’ advance notice. Routine maintenance: 72 hours’ notice. Emergency: reasonable notice. Leave written notice if tenant is absent.
Hardin County Commuter Tenant Profile
LaRue County’s strongest rental driver is commuter employment in Hardin County. Fort Knox military and civilian workforce, Hardin Memorial Hospital (Baptist Health), Elizabethtown commercial employers, and the growing BlueOval SK battery campus in Glendale all draw LaRue County residents on a daily basis. The drive via KY-61 or US-31E to Elizabethtown runs 15–20 minutes. BlueOval SK construction-phase workers seeking affordable housing near the Glendale campus frequently look to LaRue County. Verify employment with pay stubs or employer letters; apply the same SCRA awareness for Fort Knox military tenants as in Hardin County itself.
Lincoln Heritage Tourism & Short-Term Rentals
The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site draws visitors year-round, with peaks around Lincoln’s February birthday. Property owners near the NPS sites in Hodgenville or along the Lincoln Heritage Highway may consider short-term vacation rental platforms for the tourism-season market. Verify with a Kentucky attorney whether URLTA applies to occupancies under 30 days; transient occupancy is generally outside KRS Chapter 383. Check applicable zoning before listing.
Green River Tributaries & Flood Risk
LaRue County is drained by tributaries of the Green River, and some creek bottom properties carry flood risk. Verify FEMA flood zone status for any low-lying property before renting and disclose known flood risk in writing.
Lead Paint Disclosure
For any dwelling built before 1978, federal law requires written disclosure of known lead paint hazards and delivery of the EPA pamphlet before lease signing. Most of LaRue County’s older housing stock predates 1978.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control.
Self-Help Eviction
Expressly prohibited (KRS 383.690). Penalty: 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever is greater. File a Forcible Detainer at the LaRue County Justice Center.
Kentucky URLTA applies ONLY in specific adopting counties (including Jefferson/Louisville, Fayette/Lexington, and ~20 others). Non-URLTA counties use common law forcible detainer (KRS §383.200-383.285), which may have different procedures. The 7-day nonpayment notice under §383.660(2) requires payment of the FULL amount owed - accepting partial payment may restart the notice period. Tenant can cure by paying within the 7-day period. If the same nonpayment recurs within 6 months, landlord can issue 14-day unconditional quit. Late fees: no statutory cap, but Hemlane and others report 10% industry standard. Security deposit max: 1 month per KRS §383.580(1).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Kentucky eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Kentucky attorney or local legal aid organization.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
LaRue County market: Small central Kentucky county with a strong Hardin County commuter driver — Fort Knox, Elizabethtown, BlueOval SK, and Baptist Health all 15–20 min away. SCRA awareness important for Fort Knox military commuters. Lincoln tourism creates modest short-term rental potential near NPS sites. Lead paint disclosure required for most housing stock. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Lincoln’s Birthplace, BlueOval SK, and HB128: LaRue County Kentucky Landlord Law
On February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin on Sinking Spring Farm in what is now LaRue County, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln was born. He lived there for two years before the family moved three miles to Knob Creek Farm, where he spent the next five years of his childhood — the years he later remembered as the first years of his conscious existence, the years of the creek and the woods and the neighbors and the beginning of school. The family left Kentucky for Indiana in 1816 when Lincoln was seven, and he never returned to live in the state again. But the National Park Service has preserved both sites as the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Site, and Hodgenville has organized its civic identity substantially around that connection: the seated bronze Lincoln on the courthouse square, the columned memorial temple housing the symbolic birth cabin, the heritage tourism that brings visitors from across the country throughout the year.
LaRue County was established in 1843, named for John P. LaRue, one of the first European settlers of the area who established a station near present-day Hodgenville in the 1770s. The county covers 262 square miles of knob country terrain — the rounded sandstone hills that cap the transition zone between the inner bluegrass limestone to the northeast and the more rugged terrain to the south and west. It recorded 14,398 residents in 2020, a number that reflects modest but genuine growth driven largely by the county’s proximity to Hardin County’s employment base.
LaRue as a Hardin County Bedroom Community
The dominant economic story of LaRue County’s rental market in 2026 is not Lincoln tourism — it is the 15-to-20-minute drive to Elizabethtown and the Hardin County employment base. Fort Knox, one of the largest Army installations in the country, employs active-duty service members, civilian federal employees, and contractors whose housing search extends naturally into LaRue County when Hardin County rents are too high or availability is too tight. Hardin Memorial Hospital (now Baptist Health Madisonville’s sister facility, Baptist Health Hardin) employs thousands of healthcare workers who may prefer the quiet of LaRue County to the bustle of Elizabethtown proper. And the BlueOval SK battery megasite in Glendale — just north of the LaRue-Hardin county line on I-65 — has been generating construction worker demand that spills into LaRue County for workers willing to trade a few extra miles for lower rent.
For landlords, this commuter dynamic creates a tenant pool that is more economically diverse and more financially stable than the county’s own employment base alone would produce. A LaRue County applicant who works at Fort Knox as a civilian employee or contractor is drawing a federal or federal-contractor salary that may be considerably higher than the local market average. Screen these applicants with standard documentation — pay stubs, employer or contracting firm letters. For active-duty Fort Knox military tenants, remember the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): PCS order early termination rights, eviction protections, and non-waivable SCRA provisions apply in LaRue County just as in Hardin County itself. The law follows the tenant, not the county line.
BlueOval SK construction workers represent a more transitional category. Verify whether the applicant is in the construction phase (temporary assignment, typically 12–18 months) or has accepted a permanent manufacturing position. Construction workers can be excellent tenants with union-scale wages — but their assignment in this specific location has a defined end. Align lease terms with known assignment duration where practical, and have a clear early termination understanding in your lease.
Filing in Hodgenville and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in LaRue County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the LaRue County Justice Center, 209 W. High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748, phone (270) 358-3717. Hodgenville is a small county seat; call ahead to verify current office hours and civil hearing dates. Street parking is available near the justice center. Bring your lease, notice with proof of service, and complete payment and communications records.
HB128 compliance: written 14-day notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment; 14-day cure notice with 30-day minimum termination for violations; one month’s written notice for month-to-month; deposits at two times monthly rent in a separate account, returned within 30 days with itemized deductions; $250 or 2x penalty; nonwaivable habitability across 13 categories; 24-hour advance entry notice; self-help eviction prohibited at three times periodic rent. For pre-1978 housing, federal lead paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet delivery before lease signing. Abraham Lincoln is said to have walked miles to borrow a book. The written lease, the notice, and the itemized deposit statement are considerably shorter documents — and considerably easier to produce on time.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. HB128 applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior Kentucky law governs older leases. SCRA provides additional federal protections for active-duty military tenants. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (HB128) applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides additional federal protections for active-duty military tenants. Federal lead paint disclosure requirements apply to pre-1978 housing. Short-term rentals of under 30 days may be outside URLTA scope; consult a Kentucky attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
