Patrick County is a Blue Ridge foothills county of approximately 17,500 residents in southside Virginia, bordering North Carolina along its southern edge. The county seat of Stuart sits on US-58 — the primary east-west artery across southern Virginia — and serves as the commercial and governmental center for a county whose economy blends manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and a growing outdoor recreation and tourism sector anchored by the Blue Ridge Music Center, the Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area, and the county’s position on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail. Patrick County is the birthplace of Stuart area bluegrass and country music traditions and sits at the gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Meadows of Dan.
Year-round residential rents run $650–$900/month. The GDC at 106 Rucker Street has a unique civil schedule: civil runs one Tuesday afternoon per month — the specific date varies and landlords must contact the court to verify the current month’s date before scheduling. Electronic devices are subject to a published policy. First continuances for criminal/traffic are granted by Clerk if all parties agree; all other continuances by Judge.
Stuart (seat), Woolwine, Meadows of Dan, Claudville
Major Employers
Patrick County gov. & schools, manufacturing, forestry/timber, Patrick County Memorial Hospital, agriculture, tourism (Blue Ridge Music Center, outdoor recreation)
Typical SFH Rent
$650–$900/mo (year-round residential)
GDC Clerk
Amanda Scearce Nester — (276) 694-7258
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD Docket
One Tuesday afternoon per month — call (276) 694-7258 to verify date
Small Claims
One Tuesday afternoon per month (same day as civil)
Continuances
Criminal/traffic 1st by Clerk if all agree; all others by Judge
Electronic Devices
Subject to published policy — review before attending court
Eviction Timeline
6–10 weeks typical (monthly Tuesday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Patrick County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Patrick County Building Official (276-694-3157) handles permits. Note the GDC is located in the Administration Building at 106 Rucker Street — not the Courthouse at 101 W. Blue Ridge Street (Circuit Court). Confirm your destination before attending court.
Rent Control
None (Va. Code § 55.1-1322).
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Return within 45 days with itemization. At Patrick rents, deposits run $650–$900.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Patrick GDC — 21st Judicial District
Address: 106 Rucker Street, Administration Building Room 318 (P.O. Box 149), Stuart, VA 24171. Clerk: Amanda Scearce Nester. Phone: (276) 694-7258. Fax: (276) 694-5614. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges (21st District): Hon. Joan Ziglar (Chief Judge / Presiding), Hon. Stephanie B. Vipperman. The 21st District also covers Henry County and the independent City of Martinsville. Circuit Court Clerk: Hon. Morgan Boothe, (276) 694-7213, 101 W. Blue Ridge Street (P.O. Box 148), Stuart, VA 24171. Note: The GDC is in the Administration Building (Room 318) at 106 Rucker Street, NOT at the Circuit Court Courthouse on W. Blue Ridge Street.
Civil UD Docket — One Tuesday Afternoon per Month
Civil (including UD) and small claims are held one Tuesday afternoon each month. The specific Tuesday varies and is NOT fixed by week number — contact the court at (276) 694-7258 before scheduling to verify the current month’s civil date. Traffic (arraignments at 8:45 a.m., infractions at 9:30 a.m.) and scheduled criminal (10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.) also run on Tuesdays. With only one civil day per month, Patrick County has one of Virginia’s most restricted rural civil dockets. Act immediately on nonpayment — a missed civil Tuesday means a full month’s wait.
Continuance Policy
First continuance on criminal or traffic cases granted by Clerk if agreeable to all parties. All other continuances (including civil) granted by Judge only. For civil continuances, contact the court at (276) 694-7258 before your scheduled Tuesday hearing date.
Electronic Devices Policy
Patrick County GDC has a published Electronic Devices Policy available on its vacourts.gov page. Review and comply with this policy before attending court; violations can result in devices being confiscated or denial of entry.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $775/month, maximum late fee is $77.50/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Blue Ridge Legal Services (Martinsville, serving Patrick): (276) 638-5151. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Patrick GDC Clerk: (276) 694-7258. Patrick County Admin: (276) 694-3157. 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.
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Patrick County’s tenant base includes manufacturing workers, hospital employees (Patrick County Memorial), county/school employees, and agricultural workers. Remote workers are a growing segment drawn by the mountain scenery and low cost of living. Critical: civil court is ONE Tuesday afternoon per month — call (276) 694-7258 to verify the date. Review the electronic devices policy before attending court. Act immediately on nonpayment given the infrequent docket.
Patrick County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Blue Ridge Foothills Property Owner’s Guide
Patrick County sits in Virginia’s southernmost Blue Ridge foothills, bordering North Carolina and sharing cultural ties with the piedmont music and craft traditions of the Virginia–Carolina mountain borderland. The county seat of Stuart on US-58 is the commercial and civic hub, while the Blue Ridge Parkway and the scenic Meadows of Dan area near the county’s northern edge draw tourists and second-home buyers attracted by the mountain scenery, fall foliage, and outdoor recreation. Patrick County’s economy is anchored by manufacturing, forestry, and government employment, with a modest but growing component from tourism and remote workers who have discovered the county’s affordability and scenery. Rents of $650–$900/month reflect Southside Virginia’s affordable baseline.
Patrick General District Court, 21st Judicial District, is at 106 Rucker Street, Administration Building Room 318 (P.O. Box 149), Stuart, VA 24171. Clerk Amanda Scearce Nester: (276) 694-7258. Civil court runs one Tuesday afternoon per month — the specific Tuesday varies, so always call (276) 694-7258 to verify before scheduling. First continuance for criminal/traffic by Clerk if all parties agree; all civil continuances by Judge. Review the electronic devices policy (available on the court’s vacourts.gov page) before attending. Note: the GDC is in the Administration Building (Room 318), not at the Circuit Court Courthouse on W. Blue Ridge Street. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Blue Ridge Legal Services (Martinsville) serves Patrick County tenants at (276) 638-5151.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Civil court is ONE Tuesday afternoon per month — call (276) 694-7258 to verify date before filing. GDC is in Admin Bldg Room 318, NOT the Courthouse. Patrick GDC: P.O. Box 149, Stuart, VA 24171 — (276) 694-7258. Blue Ridge Legal Services (Martinsville): (276) 638-5151. Last updated: March 2026.
