Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Cadiz, Canton, Golden Pond & Trigg County
📍 County Seat: Cadiz (pop. ~2,475) 👥 County Pop. 14,343 (2020) ⚖️ Court: Trigg County Justice Center — 104 Main St., Cadiz 🎣 Land Between the Lakes • Lake Barkley • Kentucky Lake 🏕️ TVA & Army Corps Recreation • Western KY Tourism Hub 🏛️ Named for Stephen Trigg • Fort Campbell Adjacent
Trigg County was established on January 27, 1820 from parts of Caldwell and Christian counties and named for Colonel Stephen Trigg, a Virginia-born Revolutionary War officer who was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks on August 19, 1782 — the same engagement that claimed Colonel John Todd (Todd County). The county seat, Cadiz (pronounced KAY-dee by locals), was established in 1822. Trigg County covers approximately 449 square miles of far western Kentucky terrain and recorded a 2020 census population of 14,343 residents.
Trigg County is defined almost entirely by its position between two of the largest reservoirs in the eastern United States: Lake Barkley (on the Cumberland River, Army Corps) to the east and Kentucky Lake (on the Tennessee River, TVA) to the west, with the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area occupying the peninsula between them. LBL, managed by the USDA Forest Service, is one of the largest inland peninsulas in the country and one of Tennessee Valley Authority’s most significant recreational legacies. Trigg County borders LBL on its eastern shore (Lake Barkley side) and draws significant outdoor recreation tourism. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Trigg County Justice Center, 104 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🎣 Land Between the Lakes — TVA Peninsula & National Recreation Area — Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, managed by the USDA Forest Service, occupies the 170,000-acre peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley; it is one of the largest inland recreation areas in the eastern United States and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing |
🌊 Lake Barkley — Cumberland River Army Corps Reservoir — Lake Barkley (completed 1966 by Barkley Dam on the Cumberland River) borders Trigg County on its eastern shore and, together with Kentucky Lake, defines the county’s geographic and economic identity; lakefront and lake-access properties command significant premiums in the Trigg County market |
🏛️ Named for Stephen Trigg & “Cadiz” (KAY-dee) — The county is named for Colonel Stephen Trigg, killed at Blue Licks in 1782 (the same battle as Colonel John Todd of Todd County); the county seat of Cadiz is locally pronounced “KAY-dee” — not like the Spanish city — a pronunciation distinction that immediately identifies outsiders in the community |
🪖 Fort Campbell Adjacent — Military Household Segment — Fort Campbell (the 101st Airborne Division’s installation) is approximately 35–40 miles northeast of Cadiz; some military households stationed at Fort Campbell choose Trigg County for its lake access and rural character; these tenants have SCRA protections
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Cadiz (pronounced “KAY-dee”, ~2,475)
Other Communities
Canton, Golden Pond (historic LBL), Rockcastle, Roaring Spring
County Population
14,343 (2020)
Region
Far Western KY • Lake Barkley • Pennyrile ADD
Major Employers
Trigg County Schools, county/state government, USDA Forest Service (LBL), lake tourism & hospitality, agriculture, Fort Campbell commuters (~35–40 mi NE), Hopkinsville commuters (~35 mi NE via US-68/KY-80)
Eviction Court
District Court — Trigg County Justice Center
Court Address
104 Main St., Cadiz, KY 42211
Court Phone
(270) 522-6024 (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
Trigg County Justice Center — 104 Main St., Cadiz
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)
Trigg County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Trigg County are filed in District Court at the Trigg County Justice Center, 104 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211. Phone: (270) 522-6024. Cadiz (“KAY-dee”) is a small county seat; call ahead to verify hours, clerk availability, and hearing dates. Note the local pronunciation of “Cadiz” if calling or asking for directions locally.
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.
Lease Violation — Notice & Cure
Serve a 14-day written notice to cure or quit. If not remedied, termination no sooner than 30 days from original notice.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice. Week-to-week: 5 days’ written notice.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent. Separate dedicated account. Return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× withheld, whichever greater. Lake-access and lakefront properties command premium rents and deposits; document condition thoroughly.
Habitability — Nonwaivable
Nonwaivable duty across 13 categories. Respond within 14 days (5 days for essential services). Lake-adjacent properties should be maintained proactively for moisture, weatherproofing, and structural integrity.
Lake Barkley is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir created by Barkley Dam (completed 1966) on the Cumberland River. Army Corps flowage easements apply to lakefront land below the normal pool elevation. Verify easement boundaries before making any improvements to lakefront rental properties. Any docks, boathouses, or shoreline modifications require a Corps permit. Disclose known Army Corps easements to tenants in writing if the property is within the easement area.
Fort Campbell Military Tenant Segment
Fort Campbell (101st Airborne Division) is approximately 35–40 miles northeast of Cadiz. Some military households choose Trigg County for lake access and rural character. Active-duty servicemembers have SCRA protections: the right to terminate a lease upon permanent change of station (PCS) orders or deployment of 90+ days with 30 days’ written notice and a copy of orders; SCRA also caps the interest rate on pre-service debts. Verify military status with military ID and current orders. Consult a Kentucky attorney for the full range of SCRA compliance obligations. BAH (housing allowance) is the standard income source for military tenants; verify with current LES.
Tourism & Seasonal Employment
Lake Barkley, LBL, and Kentucky Lake together support significant hospitality, marina, and outdoor recreation employment in the Trigg County area. This employment is seasonal, with peak income in spring through early fall. Review multiple months of income for seasonally employed applicants and assess whether annual income sustains a 12-month lease.
Lead Paint Disclosure
Required for any dwelling built before 1978. Most Cadiz and county housing requires disclosure.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control.
Self-Help Eviction
Prohibited (KRS 383.690). Penalty: 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever greater. File Forcible Detainer at Trigg 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.
Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Cadiz (KAY-dee, county seat, ~2,475), Canton, Golden Pond (historic LBL community), Rockcastle, Roaring Spring.
Trigg County market: Western KY lake county defined by Lake Barkley, LBL, and Kentucky Lake. Fort Campbell military tenants (~35-40 mi NE) — SCRA applies; verify with LES and orders. Lake tourism employment seasonal. Army Corps easements on all Barkley lakefront. Lead paint for older housing. Call ahead before filing. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Land Between the Lakes, Lake Barkley, and HB128: Trigg County Kentucky Landlord Law
The Battle of Blue Licks on August 19, 1782 produced two Kentucky county names. One was John Todd (Todd County). The other was Stephen Trigg — a Virginia-born colonel who commanded the right wing of the American force at Blue Licks and was killed in the same engagement. Trigg County was established in 1820, its county seat named Cadiz (pronounced locally as “KAY-dee,” not like the Spanish port city, and the distinction is immediate) and placed on the Cumberland River. Two years after the county’s establishment came Barkley Dam, nearly 150 years later, and the landscape changed entirely.
Barkley Dam, completed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1966 on the Cumberland River, created Lake Barkley and transformed what had been a river valley into one of the largest reservoirs in the eastern United States. Combined with Kentucky Lake to the west — created by TVA’s Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River — and the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area on the peninsula between them, the two lakes define Trigg County as a recreational destination rather than simply an agricultural county on the Tennessee border. LBL, now managed by the USDA Forest Service, is one of the most significant inland recreation areas in the eastern United States, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for camping, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.
Lakefront Properties, Army Corps Easements, and Fort Campbell
Lake Barkley lakefront properties in Trigg County carry a significant premium over inland properties and are subject to Army Corps of Engineers flowage easements on land below the normal pool elevation. Any dock, boathouse, or shoreline modification requires a Corps permit; verify easement boundaries before making improvements and disclose known easements to tenants in writing. The lake supports marina, hospitality, and outdoor recreation employment that is meaningfully seasonal — review multiple months of income for any applicant whose earnings are tied to the lake tourism cycle.
Fort Campbell (101st Airborne Division) is approximately 35 to 40 miles northeast of Cadiz. Some military households stationed at Fort Campbell choose Trigg County for its lake access and rural character. Active-duty servicemembers have SCRA protections: the right to break a lease upon permanent change of station orders or qualifying deployment, with 30 days’ written notice and a copy of orders. Verify military status with military ID and current orders; review the LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) for BAH income documentation. For the full discussion of SCRA compliance obligations in this region, see the Christian County entry.
Filing in Cadiz and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Trigg County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Trigg County Justice Center, 104 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211, phone (270) 522-6024. Cadiz is a small county seat; call ahead to confirm 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 for most Trigg County housing. Stephen Trigg died at Blue Licks holding the right flank. HB128 holds the procedural line for landlords who know where it is and stay on it.
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 compliance for military tenants requires legal review; consult a Kentucky attorney. Army Corps easements on Lake Barkley should be verified before improvements. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. HB128 applies to leases on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. Lead paint disclosure required for pre-1978 housing. Army Corps of Engineers easements on Lake Barkley lakefront properties must be verified before improvements; consult USACE Nashville District. SCRA protections for active-duty military tenants require legal compliance review; consult a Kentucky attorney. Last updated: March 2026.
