Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Shelbyville, Simpsonville, Bagdad, Waddy & Shelby County
📍 County Seat: Shelbyville (pop. ~17,051) 👥 County Pop. 48,911 (2020) • One of KY’s Fastest-Growing ⚖️ Court: Shelby County Justice Center — 501 Main St., Shelbyville 🚗 I-64 Corridor • Louisville Suburb • Bluegrass Corridor 🏭 BlueOval SK Battery Hub • Growing Manufacturing Base 🏛️ Named for Gov. Isaac Shelby • Inner Bluegrass • Horse Country
Shelby County was established on June 23, 1792 from part of Jefferson County — one of the original Kentucky counties — and named for Governor Isaac Shelby, Kentucky’s first and third governor, a Revolutionary War hero who commanded at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 and later led Kentucky troops at the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. The county seat, Shelbyville, was established in 1792 and has grown into one of Kentucky’s most prosperous small cities. Shelby County covers approximately 393 square miles of inner bluegrass terrain along the I-64 corridor and recorded a 2020 census population of 48,911 residents, one of the fastest-growing totals in the state.
Shelby County occupies the I-64 corridor between Louisville (Shelbyville is approximately 30 miles east of downtown Louisville) and Frankfort/Lexington. This position has made it one of the premier Louisville exurban growth counties, with substantial residential development driven by Louisville commuters seeking more affordable housing, better-perceived schools, and a more rural character. More recently, the county has attracted major manufacturing investment: the BlueOval SK battery manufacturing complex (a joint venture between Ford and SK On) located in Glendale (Hardin County) draws workers from the broad regional area including Shelby County. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Shelby County Justice Center, 501 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🏛️ Named for Governor Isaac Shelby — Kentucky’s First & Third Governor — Isaac Shelby commanded at the Battle of Kings Mountain (1780), a pivotal American victory over British Loyalist forces in the Carolina backcountry, and later led Kentucky troops at the Battle of the Thames (1813) during the War of 1812; he served as Kentucky’s governor twice — the only person to serve as both the first and third governor of the same state |
🚗 I-64 Corridor — Louisville to Lexington Premium Suburb — Shelby County sits on I-64 between Louisville (30 miles west) and Frankfort/Lexington (35–50 miles east); this position has driven sustained residential growth as Louisville metro households seek more affordable housing while maintaining commuter access |
🔋 BlueOval SK Battery Manufacturing — Major Regional Investment — The BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility (Ford-SK On joint venture) in Glendale (Hardin County, adjacent to the Shelby-Hardin corridor) represents one of the largest manufacturing investments in Kentucky history and is drawing workers from the broader I-65/I-64 corridor region |
🐎 Inner Bluegrass Horse Country — Equine Economy — Shelby County’s inner bluegrass terrain supports an equine economy of horse boarding, breeding, and sales operations; the county is part of the broader central Kentucky horse industry that extends from Shelbyville toward Lexington
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Shelbyville (~17,051)
Other Communities
Simpsonville, Bagdad, Waddy, Shelby County growth corridors
Shelby County Schools, Shelbyville Medical Center/Norton, manufacturing (existing & BlueOval SK regional draw), equine industry, commuter employment in Louisville (~30 mi W via I-64) & Frankfort/Lexington (~35–50 mi E)
Eviction Court
District Court — Shelby County Justice Center
Court Address
501 Main St., Shelbyville, KY 40065
Court Phone
(502) 633-2394 (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
Shelby County Justice Center — 501 Main St., Shelbyville
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical (active growing-county docket)
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)
Shelby County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Shelby County are filed in District Court at the Shelby County Justice Center, 501 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065. Phone: (502) 633-2394. Shelbyville is a growing I-64 corridor city; the court handles an active and expanding civil docket. Parking is available near the justice center. Verify current hearing dates 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 condition thoroughly at move-in and move-out with signed checklist and photographs.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Shelby County’s dominant rental driver is the Louisville MSA commuter workforce. Shelbyville is 30 miles east of downtown Louisville via I-64 — a 30–35 minute commute in normal conditions. Workers at UPS World Hub, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, Ford Motor (Louisville Assembly, Kentucky Truck), GE Appliances, Amazon, and the broad Louisville professional and manufacturing economy who seek lower housing costs or more rural character find Shelby County accessible. Verify Louisville employment with recent pay stubs or offer letters. Apply income ratio consistently.
BlueOval SK & Manufacturing Growth Segment
The BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility in Hardin County (adjacent to the I-65 corridor, accessible from Shelby County via I-64/I-65) is one of the largest new manufacturing investments in Kentucky history. Its construction and initial operations workforce, and ultimately its permanent production workforce, are drawing workers from across the Louisville metro region including Shelby County. BlueOval SK/Ford/SK On pay stubs verify this employment. This is an emerging tenant segment whose presence in Shelby County is growing.
Relocation & New Resident Segment
Shelby County attracts relocating families from the Louisville metro who cite school quality and lower housing costs as primary reasons. New employees who have not yet received a first paycheck may present offer letters; accept recognizable Louisville-area employer offer letters alongside signed employment contracts for new-hire income verification. Apply income ratio to stated annual salary.
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. Older Shelbyville neighborhoods require this disclosure; newer I-64 corridor construction is generally exempt.
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 Shelby 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.
Shelby County market: Growing Louisville I-64 exurb. Louisville commuters (~30 mi W) dominate rental demand (UPS, Norton, Baptist, Ford, GE, Amazon). BlueOval SK growing manufacturing segment. Relocation families common — accept offer letters for new hires. Lead paint for pre-1978 housing; newer construction exempt. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Isaac Shelby, Kings Mountain, and HB128: Shelby County Kentucky Landlord Law
Isaac Shelby led the overmountain men at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780 — one of the most decisive American victories of the Revolutionary War’s southern campaign. The battle was fought entirely between American forces: Patriot militia from the Appalachian backcountry against Loyalist militia under Major Patrick Ferguson. Ferguson was killed; his force of about 1,000 men was destroyed. Thomas Jefferson later called Kings Mountain the turn of the tide in the South. Shelby went on to become Kentucky’s first governor in 1792, retired, and then came back as governor again in 1812 — making him the only person in Kentucky history to serve as both the first and third governor of the same state. He led Kentucky troops in person at the Battle of the Thames in 1813, at age 63. The county named for him in 1792 carries a legacy of remarkable persistence and adaptability.
Shelby County covers 393 square miles of inner bluegrass terrain along the I-64 corridor and recorded 48,911 residents in 2020, having grown from about 33,000 in 2000. Shelbyville, the county seat at about 17,000, is one of Kentucky’s most prosperous small cities — a community that has absorbed Louisville metro growth while retaining a coherent downtown and distinctive character. Simpsonville, along I-64 closer to the Jefferson County line, captures much of the newer residential development.
The Louisville Commuter Economy and the BlueOval Era
Shelby County’s rental market is driven almost entirely by its I-64 position between Louisville and Frankfort/Lexington. The drive from Shelbyville to downtown Louisville takes 30–35 minutes under normal I-64 conditions, placing the county within practical daily commuting range of the Louisville metro’s entire employment base: UPS World Hub, Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, Ford Motor Company (Louisville Assembly Plant and Kentucky Truck Plant), GE Appliances, Amazon, and the broad Louisville manufacturing and professional economy. Workers at these employers who seek more affordable housing, better-perceived schools, or a less urban environment have found Shelby County to be the answer for several decades. The result is a rental market that draws applicants with Louisville-scale incomes and above.
The BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility — the Ford-SK On joint venture announced in 2021 and under development in Hardin County — represents a new dimension of manufacturing employment in the broader I-64/I-65 corridor. Workers at BlueOval SK and its supply chain are drawn from across the Louisville metropolitan area, and some will choose Shelby County housing for the same reasons Louisville commuters always have. Verify BlueOval SK/Ford/SK On employment with recent pay stubs from the specific operating entity.
Filing in Shelbyville and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Shelby County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Shelby County Justice Center, 501 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065, phone (502) 633-2394. Shelbyville has accessible parking near the justice center. As a growing county, verify current hearing dates before filing. 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 for pre-1978 housing. Isaac Shelby came back for a second term as governor at 62 because the situation called for it and he knew how to do the work. HB128 asks only that landlords do the same thing, once, consistently, every 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. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kentucky’s 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; newer I-64 corridor construction is generally exempt but verify construction date. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
