Johnston County Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Tishomingo & South-Central Oklahoma Rental Property Owners
Johnston County carries one of the most historically resonant identities of any Oklahoma county — its seat of Tishomingo served as the capital of the Chickasaw Nation throughout the late nineteenth century, and the building constructed in 1896–97 as the Chickasaw National Capitol still stands on the hill above Tishomingo today, now restored by the Nation after the county sold it back in 1992. The county itself was named for Douglas H. Johnston, who served as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation for over four decades and steered the Nation through the allotment era, the Curtis Act’s dissolution of tribal governments, and the early years of Oklahoma statehood. This deep Chickasaw heritage is not merely historical artifact; the Chickasaw Nation’s headquarters are in nearby Ada (Pontotoc County), and the Nation remains one of the region’s most significant employers and civic institutions.
With a 2020 census population of approximately 10,272, Johnston County is a small rural county in south-central Oklahoma between Ardmore (Carter County) and Ada (Pontotoc County), close to Lake Texoma on its southeastern edge. Tishomingo, the county seat with approximately 3,000 residents, is the county’s dominant commercial and governmental center. The economy blends Chickasaw Nation employment, county and school district government, cattle ranching, some oil and gas production, and a modest Lake Texoma recreational economy from proximity to one of the largest reservoirs on the Oklahoma-Texas border. The rental market is limited and concentrated in Tishomingo, where rents run $525–$775 per month.
The ORLTA in Johnston County
All residential rental relationships in Johnston County are governed by the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORLTA), codified at Oklahoma Statutes Title 41. No local ordinances in Johnston County or Tishomingo modify the ORLTA. There is no rental licensing requirement and no rent control. For nonpayment, a five-day pay-or-quit notice (rent only — no late fees) is required before filing a Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) action. For other lease violations, a fifteen-day notice to cure or quit is required. Month-to-month tenancies require thirty days’ written notice. Non-emergency entry requires twenty-four hours’ advance notice. Security deposits have no cap but must be held in an FDIC-insured Oklahoma institution, with the 45-day return clock beginning only after termination, possession delivery, and a written tenant demand. Self-help eviction is prohibited statewide.
Eviction Procedure at the 20th Judicial District Court
FED actions in Johnston County are filed at the Johnston County Courthouse, 403 W. Main St., Tishomingo, OK 73460, phone (580) 371-3281, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Johnston County is part of Oklahoma’s 20th Judicial District, which also serves Carter (Ardmore), Love, Marshall (Lake Texoma), and Murray Counties. After the applicable notice period expires, the landlord files the FED petition, pays the filing fee, and is assigned a hearing date. Oklahoma’s prevailing party attorney fee provision means procedural accuracy from notice through judgment is essential.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Johnston County District Court at (580) 371-3281 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
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