Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 513 — Arson and Related Offenses

Title L — Kentucky Penal Code

Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session.

The KRS database was last updated on 2026-09-01.

Title L Kentucky Penal Code

Chapter 513 Arson and Related Offenses

513.010 Definition of "building."

The following definition applies in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires: "Building," in addition to its ordinary meaning, specifically includes any dwelling, hotel, commercial structure, automobile, truck, watercraft, aircraft, trailer, sleeping car, railroad car, or other structure or vehicle, or any structure with a valid certificate of occupancy.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 56, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 113, effective January 1, 1975.

513.020 Arson in the first degree.

(1) A person is guilty of arson in the first degree when, with intent to destroy or damage a building, he starts a fire or causes an explosion, and;

(a) The building is inhabited or occupied or the person has reason to believe the building may be inhabited or occupied; or

(b) Any other person sustains serious physical injury as a result of the fire or explosion or the firefighting as a result thereof.

(2) Arson in the first degree is a Class A felony.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 56, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 114, effective January 1, 1975.

513.030 Arson in the second degree.

(1) A person is guilty of arson in the second degree when he starts a fire or causes an explosion with intent to destroy or damage a building:

(a) Of another; or

(b) Of his own or of another, to collect or facilitate the collection of insurance proceeds for such loss.

(2) In any prosecution under this section, it is a defense that:

(a) No person other than the defendant had a possessory or proprietary interest in the building, or, if other persons had such an interest, all of them consented to the defendant's conduct; and

(b) The defendant's sole intent was to destroy or damage the building for a lawful purpose.

(3) Arson in the second degree is a Class B felony.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 56, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 115, effective January 1, 1975.

513.040 Arson in the third degree.

(1) A person is guilty of arson in the third degree if he wantonly causes destruction or damage to a building of his own or of another by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.

(2) In any prosecution under this section, it is a defense that no person other than the defendant had a possessory or proprietary interest in the building, or, if other persons had such an interest, all of them consented to defendant's conduct.

(3) Arson in the third degree is a Class D felony.

Effective: July 15, 1982

History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 56, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 116, effective January 1, 1975.

513.060 Burning personal property to defraud insurer.

(1) A person is guilty of burning personal property to defraud an insurer when, with intent to defraud or injure an insurer, he:

(a) Sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned; or

(b) Aids, counsels, or procures the burning of any of the goods, wares, merchandise, or other personal property of himself or another, that is insured at the time against loss or damage by fire.

(2) Burning personal property to defraud an insurer is a Class D felony.

Effective: July 15, 1980

History: Created 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 49, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1980.