Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Marion, Tolu, Dycusburg & Crittenden County
📍 County Seat: Marion 👥 Pop. 8,990 (2020) • 100% Rural ⚖️ Court: Marion City Hall — 217 S. Main St. 💎 Fluorspar Capital • Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum 🪣 Ball Canning Jar Blue Crystal Connection 🌽 Large Amish Community • Pennyrile Region
Crittenden County was formed in 1842 from Livingston County and named for John J. Crittenden (1787–1863), a Kentucky senator, two-term governor, and U.S. Attorney General under Presidents William Henry Harrison and Millard Fillmore. The county seat, Marion, was simultaneously established and named for General Francis Marion — the Revolutionary War “Swamp Fox” — and incorporated in 1844. Crittenden County covers 371 square miles in the Pennyrile region of western Kentucky, borders the Ohio River to the north, and had a 2020 census population of 8,990. It is 100% rural. The county has valuable deposits of fluorspar (fluorite), zinc, limestone, and silica sand; fluorspar mining made Marion an industrial hub in the 1840s, peaked in 1947, and Kentucky fluorspar mining ceased by 1985. The distinctive blue fluorite crystals from Crittenden County became the raw material for the deep cobalt-blue glass used in Ball canning jars — a connection preserved in the internationally known Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion. The farm communities surrounding Marion are home to a substantial Amish population.
Crittenden County’s rental market is very small and rural, centered on Marion and the US-60 corridor. Agriculture (tobacco, grain, livestock), county government, healthcare, education, and light manufacturing (including the Crittenden County Industrial Park’s manufacturers such as Siemens) are the primary employers. Paducah, approximately 45 miles southwest via US-60, provides the nearest significant employment center. All evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at Marion City Hall. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
💎 Fluorspar Capital of the World — Ball Canning Jar Blue Crystal — Crittenden County was one of the world’s leading fluorspar producers; the distinctive blue-purple fluorite crystals mined here were used to produce the deep cobalt-blue glass that made Ball canning jars iconic; the Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion houses one of the world’s finest collections of fluorite specimens and mining artifacts |
🔥 Andrew Jackson Owned an Iron Furnace Here — In the mid-19th century, Crittenden County was home to several iron furnaces; one was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, reflecting the county’s early industrial significance in western Kentucky |
📚 Forrest Pogue — Biographer of General George C. Marshall — Forrest Pogue (1912–1996), born in Crittenden County, became the definitive military historian of the 20th century; his multi-volume biography of General George C. Marshall remains the authoritative account of one of America’s greatest military and diplomatic figures |
🌽 Substantial Amish Community — The farm communities surrounding Marion are home to a significant Amish population; Amish and Mennonite families operate farms and cottage businesses throughout the county, contributing to the local agricultural economy and community character
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Marion (~2,916 in 2020)
Other Communities
Tolu (Ohio River), Dycusburg (Cumberland River), Shady Grove, Frances, Fohs Mill
Population
8,990 (2020 census) • 100% rural
Region
Pennyrile • Pennyrile Area Development District • Ohio River north border
Major Employers
Crittenden County Schools, county government, Crittenden County Hospital, Siemens (Industrial Park), Par 4 Plastics, agriculture (tobacco, grain, livestock), Amish farming/cottage businesses, Paducah commuter workforce (US-60, ~45 mi.)
Eviction Court
District Court — Marion City Hall (NOT the courthouse)
Circuit Court Clerk
Melissa Guill — (270) 965-4200
Court Location
Marion City Hall, 217 S. Main Street, Marion, KY 42064
Clerk’s Mailing Address
107 S. Main St., Suite 202, Marion, KY 42064
Fax
(270) 965-4572
Payment
Cash, check, money order • ePay online
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
Marion City Hall — 217 S. Main St. (NOT the courthouse building)
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)
Crittenden County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Crittenden County are filed in District Court at Marion City Hall, 217 S. Main Street, Marion, KY 42064. Note: court proceedings are held at Marion City Hall, not the courthouse building. Circuit Court Clerk: Melissa Guill — Phone: (270) 965-4200 — Fax: (270) 965-4572 — Email: MelissaGuill@kycourts.net. Clerk’s mailing address: 107 S. Main St., Suite 202, Marion, KY 42064. Payment: cash, check, money order; ePay available online. Verify current District Court civil hearing dates with the clerk 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. This doubled the prior 7-day requirement.
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, the lease terminates on a date no sooner than 30 days from original notice. Repeat violations within 6 months, imminent health/safety threats, or criminal acts may allow faster termination — consult a Kentucky attorney.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (KRS 383.695). Week-to-week: at least 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent (not including first month’s rent or fees). Must be held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account. Return within 30 days with itemized written deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater, plus the amount owed. The $250 minimum floor applies even in a very low-rent rural market.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories: building code compliance, weatherproofing, plumbing, water supply, heating and ventilation, electrical systems, pest and hazardous substance control (radon, lead, asbestos, mold), clean common areas, trash receptacles, floors/walls/windows in good repair, landlord-supplied appliances, exterior door and window locks, and required safety equipment. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Landlord Entry — Notice
Standard entry: 24 hours’ advance notice, reasonable time. Routine maintenance or pest control: 72 hours’ notice or a fixed schedule provided at least 72 hours before the first entry. Emergency: reasonable notice. Leave conspicuous written notice if tenant is absent.
Amish & Mennonite Tenants — Fair Housing
Crittenden County has a substantial Amish population in the farm communities surrounding Marion. Amish and Mennonite prospective tenants are entitled to the same screening process as all applicants. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law — apply all income criteria, credit standards, and rental requirements consistently to every applicant regardless of religious affiliation, dress, or community membership. Do not apply different deposit requirements, lease terms, or screening standards based on an applicant’s religious background.
Agricultural & Manufacturing Workforce
Agriculture (tobacco, grain, livestock) and the Crittenden County Industrial Park (Siemens, Par 4 Plastics) are major employers. For self-employed farmers, request two years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly average and apply your income ratio consistently. For manufacturing workers, verify income with pay stubs. For Paducah commuters (~45 miles west via US-60), standard employment verification applies.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control. Landlords may raise rent freely at lease renewal.
Self-Help Eviction
Expressly prohibited (KRS 383.690). Lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of tenant belongings expose the landlord to 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever is greater. File a Forcible Detainer at Marion City Hall.
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.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Marion (county seat, ~2,916), Tolu (Ohio River), Dycusburg (Cumberland River), Shady Grove, Frances.
Crittenden County market:Court at Marion City Hall, 217 S. Main St. Clerk Melissa Guill, (270) 965-4200. Substantial Amish community — apply Fair Housing criteria consistently (religion is a protected class). Agricultural income: tax returns. Paducah commuters: standard verification. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Blue Crystal, Ball Jars, and HB128: Crittenden County Kentucky Landlord Law
The deep cobalt-blue glass that made Ball canning jars one of the most recognizable objects in American kitchens traces its origins to Crittenden County, Kentucky. The county’s fluorspar — fluorite crystals in vivid blues, purples, and greens — was a raw material for that blue glass, and by the mid-20th century Crittenden County was producing more fluorspar than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion houses one of the world’s finest collections of fluorite specimens from the Crittenden County mines. Andrew Jackson owned an iron furnace here in the 19th century. Forrest Pogue, the definitive biographer of General George C. Marshall and one of the 20th century’s most important military historians, grew up in Crittenden County. The farm communities surrounding Marion are home to one of western Kentucky’s largest Amish populations. And all evictions in Crittenden County are filed at Marion City Hall — not the courthouse building.
Filing at Marion City Hall
Evictions in Crittenden County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at Marion City Hall, 217 S. Main Street, Marion, KY 42064. This is an important practical note: the court is located at City Hall, not in the courthouse building. Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Guill handles filings at (270) 965-4200 — fax (270) 965-4572 — email MelissaGuill@kycourts.net; the clerk’s mailing address is 107 S. Main St., Suite 202, Marion, KY 42064. Payment is accepted by cash, check, and money order; ePay is available online. Verify current District Court civil hearing dates with the clerk’s office before filing. Your 14-day nonpayment notice must fully expire before you file; the 14-day cure / 30-day termination timeline applies for lease violations.
Amish Tenants, Fair Housing, and Consistent Standards
Crittenden County’s Amish community is one of the larger Amish populations in western Kentucky. Some Amish and Mennonite families rent residential properties, and they are entitled to the same rental application process as every other prospective tenant. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law. Apply your income threshold, credit criteria, deposit requirements, and lease terms consistently to every applicant regardless of religious affiliation, dress, community membership, or lifestyle. Do not apply different standards to applicants based on their religious background.
HB128’s nonwaivable habitability duty applies to every residential lease in Crittenden County. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services). Return security deposits within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement. The $250 minimum penalty for noncompliance applies even when the withheld amount is small — it is a hard floor, not a proportional calculation. Self-help evictions are prohibited and expose the landlord to 3× rent in damages; file a Forcible Detainer at City Hall.
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. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law; apply all screening criteria consistently. 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. Religion is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law; apply all screening criteria consistently. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
