Ky. Rev. Stat. ch. 65 § 65.874
Local ordinance or regulation prohibiting refusal to lease or rent housing
Operative Text
65.874 Local ordinance or regulation prohibiting refusal to lease or rent housing based on federal housing assistance program funds as source of income disallowed. A city, county, charter county government, urban-county government, consolidated local government, or unified local government shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that prohibits any owner, lessee, sublessee, assignee, managing agent, or other person having the authority to lease, sublease, or rent a housing accommodation from refusing to lease or rent the housing accommodation to any person when the person's lawful source of income to pay rent includes funding from a federal housing assistance program.
Kentucky Revised Statute § 65.874 bars cities, counties, and other local governments in Kentucky from passing or enforcing any local rule that would require landlords or their agents to accept federal housing assistance program funds—such as housing vouchers—as a source of rent payment. In other words, the state law preempts local 'source of income' anti-discrimination ordinances that specifically cover federal housing assistance. The provision leaves the decision of whether to accept such funding to the discretion of individual property owners and their authorized agents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 65.874, no Kentucky city or county may adopt or enforce a local ordinance compelling property owners, managing agents, or other authorized parties to accept federal housing assistance program funds as a form of rent payment. Operators who choose not to participate in federal housing assistance programs are not subject to local penalties for that decision, as the state statute expressly disallows such local mandates. Landlords and property managers should still be aware that other federal and state fair housing laws remain in effect and govern other aspects of tenant selection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 65.874 establishes that Kentucky local governments cannot enact rules requiring landlords to accept federal housing assistance funds, meaning a landlord's refusal to accept a housing voucher or similar federal assistance is not a violation of any local ordinance in Kentucky. Tenants who rely on federal housing assistance should be aware that this state law limits the protections that local governments can offer on this specific issue. Those seeking to understand their broader fair housing rights may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or review applicable federal fair housing statutes, which operate independently of § 65.874.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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