Louisville Eviction Court Steps 2026–27: Jefferson County, Courtroom 308, and the Seven-Day Rules
Three "sevens" run through most Louisville evictions. There's a 7-day notice for unpaid rent. A judge's order gives you 7 days to move out. And either side gets 7 days to appeal, but on appeal you have to deposit rent with the court.
Those are the rules. This guide explains each one, along with where eviction court meets, how to appear by Zoom, and what changed on the docket in May 2026.
Last checked October 2026. Legal rules come from KRS 383.660 and 383.255, Louisville Metro Code Chapter 151 (the Landlord and Tenant Code), and the Kentucky Court of Justice forcible detainer judgment form (AOC-217). Court logistics come from the Jefferson County District Court's Eviction Court page.
Why Louisville Rules Differ From Much of Kentucky
Kentucky lets local governments adopt the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) in full (KRS 383.500). Louisville Metro has done that in Chapter 151 of the Metro Code, its Landlord and Tenant Code. That means the URLTA notice rules in KRS 383.505 to 383.715 apply in Louisville. Those rules include the 7-day rent notice and the 14-day lease-violation notice below.
If you live outside Jefferson County, your local rules may differ.
Step 1: The Notice
Unpaid rent: 7 days
Under KRS 383.660(2), if rent isn't paid when due, the landlord can give you written notice of the nonpayment and say they intend to end the lease if you don't pay within 7 days. If you don't pay within that time, the landlord can end the rental agreement.
What to do: Count 7 days from the date you received the notice. Find out what you owe, and ask in writing whether the landlord will take a partial payment. Call for rent help the same day (see the end of this guide).
Other lease violations: 14 days
For a material noncompliance with the lease, or with the tenant duties in the act, KRS 383.660(1) requires a written notice that:
says what the breach is, and
says the lease ends on a date at least 14 days after you receive it.
If the breach can be fixed, such as by repairs or paying for damage, and you fix it before the date in the notice, the lease doesn't end. If substantially the same breach happens again within 6 months, the landlord can end the lease with at least 14 days' written notice, with no chance to fix it this time.
Step 2: The Court Case (Forcible Detainer)
If the lease ends and you're still there, the landlord files a forcible detainer case in Jefferson County District Court.
Where and when
Courtroom 308, Hall of Justice, 600 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202
Dockets: Monday through Thursday at 9, 10 and 11 a.m.; Monday hearing dockets also at 1 p.m.
Friday: a Motion Hour at 9 a.m.
Court phone: 502-595-4431
What changed on May 1, 2026: The court ended the 9 a.m. Friday first-call eviction docket. The Friday 9 a.m. Motion Hour continues. If someone tells you to "come Friday morning" for a first appearance, check the date and time on your papers.
Appearing by Zoom
The court posts remote-appearance instructions:
Zoom app: Meeting ID 789 335 2944, password 308
By phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799, Meeting ID 789 335 2944, Participant ID 308
Join a few minutes early, and make sure your Zoom name matches the name on the case. If your connection is unreliable, go in person.
Text reminders: The court offers text reminders of your next court date. Fill out the form on the Eviction Court page and email it to jeffcodistrictcourtadmin@kycourts.net.
Step 3: At Court, Talk to the Diversion Specialists
Jefferson County Eviction Court has Eviction Court Diversion Specialists. They keep a list of community resources for people facing eviction (linktr.ee/JeffersonCountyEDI). The court also posts a flyer on its Standard Agreement, which is how many cases are settled.
Before you sign an agreement
Read every payment date and amount. Can you actually make them?
Find out what happens if you miss one payment.
Ask whether the agreement includes a judgment or a dismissal.
Get a copy before you leave.
What to bring
the notice you received, with the date and how it was delivered
your lease
proof of payments: receipts, money order stubs, bank records, app screenshots
texts and letters with the landlord
photos of problems in the unit and your repair requests
any rent-assistance application or approval
Step 4: The Judgment, With 7 Days to Leave
If the court rules for the landlord, the Kentucky forcible detainer judgment form (AOC-217) orders the tenant to vacate within seven days of the judgment being entered.
Use those seven days. Line up a place to stay and move essentials first: IDs, Social Security cards, birth certificates, medications, school and work items.
Step 5: Appeal Within 7 Days, With Rent Deposited
Under KRS 383.255, either side can appeal within 7 days after the judgment. To appeal, you must deposit with the circuit court clerk:
the rent owed since the eviction case started, and
each month's rent as it comes due while the appeal is pending.
Once the appeal is perfected by paying that money into court, the statute says the court stays all further proceedings. The case file goes to circuit court within 10 days.
Reality check: An appeal doesn't make the rent go away. If you can't deposit the rent, it won't stop the move-out. Talk to a lawyer before day 7, not after.
Step 6: The Warrant for Possession
If you don't appeal and haven't moved out, the landlord can ask the court for an eviction warrant for possession. The sheriff then carries it out. Don't wait for this step. By then, the time for options has mostly passed.
Your Rights Under Chapter 151
URLTA also covers the landlord's duties. For example, KRS 383.595 requires landlords to comply with applicable building and housing codes that materially affect health and safety. If your case involves repairs, bring photos and copies of your repair requests, and ask a lawyer whether you have a defense or counterclaim.
Rent and Legal Help
Jefferson County Eviction Diversion resource list: linktr.ee/JeffersonCountyEDI
Louisville Metro Financial Assistance (shelter and utilities): 311 or 502-574-5000
Metro United Way: 211 or 877-566-4968
Community Ministries: louisvilleministries.org. Each zip code is served by a ministry that offers some emergency help with rent and bills.
Your Checklist
[ ] Identify your notice: 7-day (rent) or 14-day (other breach).
[ ] Pay, cure, or get help inside the notice period.
[ ] Find your court date and time. Note that there's no Friday first-call docket since May 1, 2026.
[ ] Sign up for text reminders.
[ ] Go to Courtroom 308 (or Zoom) early, and talk to the diversion specialists.
[ ] Read any Standard Agreement carefully before signing.
[ ] If you lose: 7 days to leave, or 7 days to appeal with rent deposited.
FAQ
How much notice does a Louisville landlord have to give for unpaid rent? Under KRS 383.660(2), which applies in Louisville through Metro Code Chapter 151, the landlord gives written notice, and you have 7 days to pay before the landlord can end the lease.
Where is eviction court in Louisville? Courtroom 308, Hall of Justice, 600 W. Jefferson St.
Can I go to eviction court by Zoom? Yes. The court posts Zoom Meeting ID 789 335 2944 with password 308, or call 1-312-626-6799 with Participant ID 308.
How long do I have to move after losing? The standard judgment form orders tenants to vacate within seven days of the judgment's entry.
Can I appeal? Yes, within 7 days. You must deposit the rent owed since the case began, plus monthly rent during the appeal, with the circuit court clerk.
Is there still a Friday eviction docket? Since May 1, 2026, there's no 9 a.m. Friday first-call docket. Friday 9 a.m. is a Motion Hour.
Related Guides
Sources
KRS 383.660: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35749
KRS 383.255: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35710
KRS 383.500: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=35717
Louisville Metro Code, Chapter 151 Landlord and Tenant Code: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/louisvillemetro/latest/loukymetro/0-0-0-15729
Kentucky Court of Justice, AOC-217 Forcible Detainer Judgment: https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Legal%20Forms/217.pdf
Jefferson County District Court, Eviction Court: https://www.jeffersondistrictcourt.com/evictioncourt
LG&E assistance page (local agency contacts): https://lge-ku.com/residential/assistance-programs/lge-heating-assistance
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