Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Carlisle, Blue Licks, Moorefield & Nicholas County
📍 County Seat: Carlisle (pop. ~1,886) 👥 County Pop. 6,896 (2020) • KY’s 4th-Smallest County ⚖️ Court: Nicholas County Justice Center — 323 E. Main St., Carlisle 🌾 Outer Bluegrass • Licking River • NE Kentucky 🏛️ Blue Licks Battlefield • Last Battle of the Revolution 🚗 Lexington & Maysville Commuter Zone
Nicholas County was established on December 18, 1799 from parts of Bourbon and Mason counties and named for Colonel George Nicholas, Kentucky’s first attorney general and the primary drafter of Kentucky’s first constitution (1792) — the man most responsible for the legal framework on which Kentucky’s government was built. The county seat, Carlisle, was established in 1816 and named for Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Nicholas County covers approximately 198 square miles of rolling outer bluegrass and Licking River watershed terrain and recorded a 2020 census population of just 6,896 residents, making it Kentucky’s fourth-smallest county by population.
Nicholas County holds a significant place in the final chapter of the Revolutionary War era in Kentucky. The Battle of Blue Licks, fought on August 19, 1782, is generally considered the last land battle of the Revolutionary War — fought nearly a year after Yorktown, by Kentuckians who had not yet received word that a peace treaty was being negotiated. Daniel Boone’s son Israel was killed there. The county today is primarily agricultural — outer bluegrass cattle and row crop farming — with the school system and county government as the primary formal employers. The county sits between Lexington to the southwest and Maysville to the north on US-68, placing it within moderate commuting range of both. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Nicholas County Justice Center, 323 E. Main Street, Carlisle, KY 40311. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
⚔️ Battle of Blue Licks — Last Battle of the Revolutionary War (1782) — The Battle of Blue Licks, fought in Nicholas County on August 19, 1782, is considered the last significant land battle of the Revolutionary War; fought nearly a year after Yorktown by Kentucky settlers who did not know peace negotiations were underway, it ended in a Shawnee and British-allied victory and the death of Daniel Boone’s son Israel |
🏛️ Named for George Nicholas — Drafter of Kentucky’s First Constitution — George Nicholas was Kentucky’s first attorney general and the primary author of the Kentucky Constitution of 1792; his legal scholarship and drafting skill gave Kentucky its foundational governmental framework, making him one of the most consequential figures of early Kentucky history even though he died young in 1799 |
🌾 Outer Bluegrass Agriculture — Licking River Watershed — Nicholas County sits in the outer bluegrass limestone belt along the upper Licking River drainage; the rolling terrain supports productive cattle and hay operations on farms that have been in operation for generations |
🧂 Blue Licks Mineral Springs — Historic Salt Lick — The Blue Licks area was historically significant as a salt lick where game animals congregated, which is why it was a site of intense early Kentucky activity; the mineral springs at Blue Licks were later developed as a resort destination in the 19th century before the site became a state park
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Carlisle (~1,886)
Other Communities
Blue Licks Springs (state park area), Moorefield, Ellisville, Headquarters
County Population
6,896 (2020) • KY’s 4th-smallest county by population
Region
NE Kentucky • Outer Bluegrass • Licking River • FIVCO ADD
Major Employers
Nicholas County Schools, county/state government, agriculture (cattle, hay, row crops), commuter employment in Lexington (Fayette Co., ~45 mi SW via US-68) & Maysville (Mason Co., ~35 mi N via US-68)
Eviction Court
District Court — Nicholas County Justice Center
Court Address
323 E. Main St., Carlisle, KY 40311
Court Phone
(859) 289-3730 (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
Nicholas County Justice Center — 323 E. Main St., Carlisle
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)
Nicholas County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Nicholas County are filed in District Court at the Nicholas County Justice Center, 323 E. Main Street, Carlisle, KY 40311. Phone: (859) 289-3730. Carlisle is a very small county seat; call ahead to verify current office hours, clerk contact, and civil hearing dates. Parking is available near the justice center on Main Street.
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. In one of Kentucky’s smallest rental markets, the $250 floor penalty is highly significant; document condition at every tenancy.
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.
Very Small Market & Written Lease Essential
With 6,896 county residents and Carlisle’s sub-2,000 population, Nicholas County’s rental market is among the smallest in Kentucky. Most landlord-tenant arrangements are relationship-based and often informal. A written lease specifying rent, due date, term, and HB128 notice provisions is essential for any formal eviction proceeding and strongly recommended for every tenancy.
Commuter Corridors — Lexington & Maysville
Nicholas County sits on US-68, which connects to Maysville (Mason County, ~35 miles north) and to Paris (Bourbon County) and ultimately Lexington (~45 miles southwest via US-68/KY-32). Nestlé Purina (Maysville) and the Lexington professional/healthcare economy are the primary commuter employment destinations. Verify all commuter employment with standard documentation and apply income ratio consistently.
Licking River Flood Risk
The upper Licking River and its tributaries drain Nicholas County. Verify FEMA flood zone status for any low-lying riverside property before renting and disclose known flood risk in writing.
Lead Paint Disclosure
For any dwelling built before 1978 — most of Carlisle’s and the county’s housing stock — federal law requires written disclosure of known lead paint hazards and delivery of the EPA pamphlet before lease signing.
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 Nicholas 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.
Nicholas County market: KY’s 4th-smallest county by population. School and government employees anchor a tiny rental base. US-68 commuter corridor to Maysville (~35 mi N, Nestlé Purina) and Lexington (~45 mi SW). Agricultural Schedule F income requires documentation. Written leases essential. Lead paint disclosure for most housing. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
The Last Battle, Kentucky’s First Lawyer, and HB128: Nicholas County Landlord Law
On August 19, 1782 — nearly a year after Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown and while British and American diplomats in Paris were working toward the treaty that would end the war — a Shawnee and British-allied force ambushed a Kentucky militia column at the Blue Licks salt lick on the south fork of the Licking River. Daniel Boone tried to argue against the attack, warning that the enemy was too strong and the position too exposed. He was overruled. The militia charged, walked into a trap, and suffered a significant defeat. Daniel Boone’s son Israel was killed. The Battle of Blue Licks is generally considered the last significant land battle of the Revolutionary War. The Kentuckians who fought there did not know the war was already effectively over.
Nicholas County was established in 1799 and named for George Nicholas, who had been Kentucky’s first attorney general and the primary author of the Kentucky Constitution of 1792 — the legal foundation on which the state government was built. Nicholas died in 1799, the same year the county was named for him, at the age of about 40. The county seat of Carlisle was established in 1816 on the rolling outer bluegrass terrain of the upper Licking River watershed. The county covers 198 square miles and recorded 6,896 residents in 2020 — Kentucky’s fourth-smallest county by population.
A Small, Stable Agricultural County on US-68
Nicholas County’s rental market is among the smallest in Kentucky by any measure. The county seat of Carlisle has fewer than 2,000 residents, and the county’s total population is under 7,000. The formal employment base consists primarily of Nicholas County Schools and county government, supplemented by the agricultural economy of outer bluegrass cattle, hay, and row crop farms. Transfer payments support a portion of the household economy. Written leases are essential in a market this small and this relationship-based — personal familiarity with a tenant does not substitute for a document that specifies the terms of the tenancy and the procedures required by HB128 when things become difficult.
The US-68 corridor opens the county to two employment destinations that add income diversity above the local baseline. Maysville (Mason County, 35 miles north) offers Nestlé Purina PetCare employment and the broader Mason County commercial economy. Lexington (approximately 45 miles southwest via US-68 through Paris and Bourbon County) offers the full range of Fayette County employment — UK, UK HealthCare, manufacturing, and professional services. Workers at either destination who choose to live in Nicholas County for rural character, cost, or family ties bring incomes above what the county’s own employers produce. Verify all commuter employment with standard pay stubs or employer letters, and apply your income ratio consistently.
Filing in Carlisle and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Nicholas County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Nicholas County Justice Center, 323 E. Main Street, Carlisle, KY 40311, phone (859) 289-3730. Carlisle is small; call ahead to verify hours and hearing dates. HB128 compliance: written 14-day notice to pay or vacate; 14-day cure with 30-day minimum termination; one month’s written M-to-M notice; deposits at two times monthly rent in a separate account returned within 30 days with itemized deductions; $250 or 2x penalty; nonwaivable habitability; 24-hour entry notice; self-help eviction prohibited at three times periodic rent. Lead paint disclosure required for most Nicholas County housing. George Nicholas drafted the Kentucky Constitution because he understood that good governance required written rules that applied regardless of who was involved. HB128 is the same proposition at the scale of a tenancy.
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. 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. Federal lead paint disclosure requirements apply to pre-1978 housing. Licking River flood zone status should be verified through FEMA flood maps. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
