Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules
📍 County Seat: Jonesville — 33640 Main St., Suite 209 👥 Pop. ~23,000 — Extreme SW Virginia / Cumberland Gap ⚖️ 30th Judicial District GDC 🏛 Powell Valley / Appalachian Plateau — TN & KY Border
Lee County is Virginia’s westernmost county — a narrow sliver of the Appalachian Plateau tucked between Tennessee to the south, Kentucky to the north, and Scott County to the east. The county seat is Jonesville, and the most famous geographic landmark is the Cumberland Gap, where Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky meet at a historic mountain pass that Daniel Boone famously widened for settlement. Lee County’s approximately 23,000 residents live in a landscape of narrow valleys and steep ridgelines, with the Powell River flowing through the county’s primary agricultural valley. The economy has historically been anchored by coal mining, which has declined substantially; the current economic base includes county government, schools, Lonesome Pine Regional Medical Center, retail in Jonesville and Pennington Gap, and some remaining extractive industries.
The rental market is affordable, with single-family homes renting for $600–$850 per month. The GDC at 33640 Main Street in Jonesville holds civil matters specifically on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. — twice monthly. This bi-weekly civil schedule makes filing promptly important. The court has a Portable Electronic Devices Policy, and the Clerk can be reached at droberts@vacourts.gov.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
33640 Main St., Suite 209, Jonesville, VA 24263 (P.O. Box 306)
Population
~23,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Extreme SW Virginia — Powell Valley / Cumberland Gap
Key Communities
Jonesville (seat), Pennington Gap, Dryden, Ewing, St. Charles, Ben Hur
Major Employers
Lonesome Pine Regional Medical Center, Lee County gov. & schools, MEADE Energy, coal/natural gas industry, retail/services
Typical SFH Rent
$600–$850/mo
GDC Clerk
Deborah D. Roberts — (276) 346-7729 / droberts@vacourts.gov
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD Docket
2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. (bi-weekly)
Continuances (Traffic)
1st by Clerk
Continuances (All Other)
Judge’s discretion on timely motion
Eviction Timeline
5–8 weeks typical (bi-weekly Wednesday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Lee County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Virginia has no statewide landlord licensing statute. Lee County Building Official (276-346-7714) handles permits. The court has a Portable Electronic Devices Policy; cell phone use in the courthouse is restricted. Clerk can also be reached at droberts@vacourts.gov.
Rent Control
None. Virginia law prohibits local rent control (Va. Code § 55.1-1322). Lee County rents are among the most affordable in Virginia.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Must be returned with itemization within 45 days. At Lee rents, deposits run $600–$850. Document condition including any coal-country specific features (propane/fuel oil heat, private water/sewer) at move-in.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease.
Lee GDC — 30th Judicial District
Address: 33640 Main Street, Suite 209, P.O. Box 306, Jonesville, VA 24263. Clerk: Deborah D. Roberts. Phone: (276) 346-7729. Fax: (276) 346-3302. Email: droberts@vacourts.gov. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges: Hon. Shawn L. Hines (Chief), Hon. Andrew L. Johnson. Circuit Court Clerk: Hon. Rene Lamey, (276) 346-7763.
Civil Docket — 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.
All civil cases (including Unlawful Detainers and Small Claims) are heard on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 1:00 p.m. The rest of the Wednesday schedule (Mon/Wed/Fri arraignments; State Police Mondays; Sheriff’s Dept Wednesdays; criminal/traffic Fridays) is for criminal and traffic matters. With bi-weekly Wednesday civil hearings, file promptly after the notice period expires. One missed date or continuance costs two weeks.
Continuance Policy
Traffic cases: first continuance by Clerk. All other cases (including civil UD): continuance granted at Judge’s discretion upon timely motion. Civil UD continuances require a motion to the Judge. Contact the Clerk at (276) 346-7729 or droberts@vacourts.gov before the 2nd/4th Wednesday civil date if a continuance is needed.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice before non-emergency entry (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $700/month, maximum late fee is $70/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society (serving Lee County): (276) 783-6576 or (800) 277-6754. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Lee GDC Clerk: (276) 346-7729. Lee County Admin: (276) 346-7714. DHCD: dhcd.virginia.gov.
Virginia requires 5-day written pay-or-quit notice (§55.1-1245(F)). No statutory grace period, but rent must be 5 days late before late fees apply (§55.1-1204.1). Tenant can redeem tenancy by paying all rent, late fees, attorney fees, and court costs on or before the court return date (§55.1-1250). Tenant may also present a "redemption tender" - a written commitment from a government or nonprofit entity to pay within 10 days of return date. Late fee cap: 10% of periodic rent. The Eviction Diversion Program was renewed and expanded in 2025, allowing qualifying lower-income tenants to be placed on court-ordered payment plans.
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 General District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$58).
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 Virginia 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 Virginia attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
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tenant screening in Virginia —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ 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: Jonesville (county seat, courthouse, Main Street commerce), Pennington Gap (US-421 corridor, significant population), Dryden (southern county), Ewing (Cumberland Gap area near Tennessee/Kentucky border), Ben Hur (northeastern area).
Post-coal economy: Lee County has experienced significant economic transition as coal mining employment has declined. Verify stable current employment (not historical mining income). Healthcare workers at Lonesome Pine Regional Medical Center are among the county’s most stable tenants. Apply 3x monthly income based on verifiable current earnings. Civil UD hearings run 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. — file the day the notice period expires.
Lee County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Property Owners at the Appalachian Tri-State Corner
Lee County is as far west as Virginia gets — a narrow slice of the Appalachian Plateau wedged between Tennessee and Kentucky, with the famous Cumberland Gap at its southwestern corner where three states have met since the first European settlers pushed through. With approximately 23,000 residents and rents of $600–$850 per month, it represents one of Virginia’s most affordable rental markets. The economic landscape has shifted significantly from coal-dominant to a more diverse base anchored by healthcare, government, and the remaining extractive industries. Lonesome Pine Regional Medical Center in Pennington Gap and the Lee County school system are among the most stable employers.
Lee General District Court, 30th Judicial District, is at 33640 Main Street, Suite 209, Jonesville, VA 24263 (P.O. Box 306). Clerk Deborah D. Roberts is reachable at (276) 346-7729, email droberts@vacourts.gov. Civil cases — including UD — are heard on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. For civil continuances, a motion to the Judge at the Clerk’s discretion is required. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Self-help eviction prohibited. Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society serves Lee County tenants at (276) 783-6576.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Lee General District Court: P.O. Box 306, Jonesville, VA 24263 — (276) 346-7729. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Lee General District Court: P.O. Box 306, Jonesville, VA 24263 — (276) 346-7729. Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society: (276) 783-6576. Last updated: March 2026.
