Kentucky landlord guide — courthouse info, local rules & HB128 eviction procedures for Springfield, Mackville, Willisburg & Washington County
📍 County Seat: Springfield (pop. ~2,756) 👥 County Pop. 12,018 (2020) ⚖️ Court: Washington County Justice Center — 107 S. Cross Main St., Springfield 🥃 Bourbon Country • Inner Bluegrass • Lincoln Homestead State Park 🏛️ Named for President Washington • Abraham Lincoln Family Origins 🚗 Lebanon & Danville Commuter Zone • Rolling Bluegrass
Washington County was established on June 22, 1792 from part of Nelson County — one of the first counties established when Kentucky became a state — and named for President George Washington. The county seat, Springfield, was established in 1793 and remains the commercial center of the county at about 2,756 people. Washington County covers approximately 297 square miles of rolling inner bluegrass terrain and recorded a 2020 census population of 12,018 residents.
Washington County carries two significant historical distinctions. First, it is part of the broader central Kentucky bourbon country, with distilling heritage and agricultural roots in tobacco and cattle that define its rural character. Second, and more dramatically, Lincoln Homestead State Park in Washington County preserves the site of the Berry farm where Abraham Lincoln’s father Thomas Lincoln and mother Nancy Hanks both grew up before moving to Hardin County where Abraham was born in 1809. The Lincolns’ Kentucky origins are rooted in Washington County. The county’s economy today is anchored by the school system, county government, and agriculture, with commuter corridors to Lebanon (Marion County) and Danville (Boyle County) providing external employment access. All residential evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Washington County Justice Center, 107 S. Cross Main Street, Springfield, KY 40069. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🏛️ Lincoln Homestead State Park — Abraham Lincoln’s Family Origins — Lincoln Homestead State Park in Washington County preserves the Berry farm where both Thomas Lincoln (Abraham’s father) and Nancy Hanks (Abraham’s mother) grew up before moving to Hardin County where Lincoln was born; Washington County is where the Lincoln family story in Kentucky began |
🥃 Bourbon Country & Inner Bluegrass Agriculture — Washington County sits in the inner bluegrass bourbon corridor; the county has a distilling heritage and agricultural economy of tobacco, cattle, and hay on its rolling bluegrass terrain; the bourbon industry connection is a historical and cultural dimension of the county’s identity |
🏛️ Named for George Washington — One of KY’s Original Counties (1792) — Washington County was established in 1792 when Kentucky became a state, making it one of the oldest counties in the Commonwealth; naming it for George Washington reflected the national veneration of the president who was still in office when the county was formed |
🚗 Lebanon & Danville Commuter Access — Springfield is approximately 12 miles from Lebanon (Marion County) and 20 miles from Danville (Boyle County); these corridors give Washington County residents access to Marion County’s distillery employment and Boyle County’s healthcare and education economy
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Springfield (~2,756)
Other Communities
Mackville, Willisburg, Fredericktown, Maud
County Population
12,018 (2020)
Region
Inner Bluegrass • Lincoln Trail ADD • Bourbon Country
Major Employers
Washington County Schools, county/state government, agriculture (cattle, hay, tobacco), commuter employment in Lebanon (Marion Co., ~12 mi) & Danville (Boyle Co., ~20 mi) & Bardstown (Nelson Co., ~20 mi)
Eviction Court
District Court — Washington County Justice Center
Court Address
107 S. Cross Main St., Springfield, KY 40069
Court Phone
(859) 336-3721 (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
Washington County Justice Center — 107 S. Cross Main St., Springfield
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)
Washington County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Washington County are filed in District Court at the Washington County Justice Center, 107 S. Cross Main Street, Springfield, KY 40069. Phone: (859) 336-3721. Springfield is a small county seat; call ahead to verify current hours, clerk availability, and hearing dates.
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. Document condition at every tenancy.
Habitability — Nonwaivable
Nonwaivable duty across 13 categories. Respond within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Washington County residents access external employment via three primary corridors: Lebanon (Marion County, ~12 miles north) for distillery employment, commercial, and county government work; Danville (Boyle County, ~20 miles east) for Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center and Centre College employment; and Bardstown (Nelson County, ~20 miles west) for distillery and bourbon country employment. Verify all commuter employment with standard pay stubs or employer letters. Apply income ratio consistently regardless of commute direction.
Agricultural Income
Cattle, hay, and tobacco farming remain significant income sources for some Washington County households. Apply consistent documentation using prior-year Schedule F returns and bank statements.
Lead Paint Disclosure
Required for any dwelling built before 1978. Most Springfield 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 Washington 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.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
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tenant screening in Kentucky —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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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: Springfield (county seat, ~2,756), Mackville, Willisburg, Fredericktown, Maud.
Washington County market: Small inner bluegrass agricultural county with Lincoln Homestead heritage. Lebanon (~12 mi), Danville (~20 mi), Bardstown (~20 mi) commuter corridors. Agricultural Schedule F income documentation. Lead paint for most housing. Call ahead before filing. No rent control.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Lincoln Homestead, Bourbon Country, and HB128: Washington County Kentucky Landlord Law
Washington County was established in 1792 and named for George Washington, who was still serving as the nation’s first president when the county was formed. It is one of Kentucky’s original counties, and its county seat of Springfield has been its commercial center since 1793. The county covers 297 square miles of rolling inner bluegrass terrain and recorded 12,018 residents in 2020 — a modest, stable population that reflects the county’s agricultural and small-town character.
Washington County carries a historical distinction that is easy to miss on a map but significant in the Lincoln story: Lincoln Homestead State Park preserves the site of the Berry farm where both Thomas Lincoln (Abraham’s father) and Nancy Hanks (Abraham’s mother) grew up before their families relocated to Hardin County, where Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809. Abraham Lincoln did not grow up in Washington County, but his parents did — the county is where the Lincoln family’s Kentucky chapter began. The park includes a reconstruction of the Berry cabin and Francis Berry’s blacksmith shop, alongside the Lincoln Memorial Building with period artifacts.
Three Commuter Corridors and a Bourbon County Adjacency
Washington County’s own employment base is limited to the school system, county government, and agriculture. The practical rental market is sustained by three commuter corridors. Lebanon (Marion County, about 12 miles north) is the closest, offering distillery and bourbon country employment, Marion County school and government positions, and commercial work. Danville (Boyle County, about 20 miles east) offers Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center, Centre College, and Boyle County’s broader economy. Bardstown (Nelson County, about 20 miles west) sits at the center of the Kentucky bourbon industry — Heaven Hill, Jim Beam’s Clermont operations, and the broader distillery complex are accessible from Springfield in under 25 minutes. Workers in any of these directions who choose Washington County for its rural character and lower housing costs represent the county’s primary rental applicant pool. Verify all employment with standard documentation.
Filing in Springfield and HB128 Compliance
All residential evictions in Washington County are Forcible Detainer actions filed at the Washington County Justice Center, 107 S. Cross Main Street, Springfield, KY 40069, phone (859) 336-3721. Springfield 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 Washington County housing. George Washington built his reputation on doing the same things correctly every time — maintaining a disciplined Continental Army when easier options were available. HB128 requires the same consistent discipline at a much smaller scale.
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 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. Consult a licensed Kentucky attorney for guidance. Last updated: March 2026.
