Stafford County is Virginia’s most rapidly growing large county, with approximately 160,000 residents and one of the highest population growth rates in the Commonwealth. Positioned directly north of Fredericksburg on I-95 and bordered to the north by Prince William County, Stafford sits squarely in the Northern Virginia exurban commuter belt. The county is home to Marine Corps Base Quantico on its northern border, which generates a massive military housing demand from active-duty Marines and Navy personnel, their families, and the large federal civilian and contractor workforce associated with the FBI Academy and other federal installations at Quantico.
Year-round residential rents run $1,800–$2,500/month, among the highest of any rural Virginia county. The GDC at 1300 Courthouse Road runs civil returns on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. scheduled with the Clerk’s Office; civil trials on Mondays at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. — ALL civil trials must be scheduled with the Clerk’s Office. Traffic continuances: 1st by Clerk; otherwise Judge on motion.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
1300 Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 940), The Judicial Center, Stafford, VA 22555
Population
~160,000 (2025 est.) — fastest-growing large VA county
Aquia Harbour, Garrisonville, Stafford CH, Winding Creek, Embrey Mill, Hartwood
Major Employers
MCBQ / FBI Academy (Quantico border), Stafford County gov. & schools, federal civilian/contractor workforce, GEICO, Amazon, retail/commercial
Typical SFH Rent
$1,800–$2,500/mo
GDC Clerk
Bonnie Lee Camp — (540) 658-8935
SCRA Note
Large military population — apply SCRA protections carefully
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD 1st Returns
Monday at 9:00 a.m. — scheduled with Clerk’s Office
Civil Trials
Mon 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. / Fri 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. — ALL must be scheduled with clerk
Traffic
Tues–Fri at 9:00 a.m.
Criminal
Tues–Thurs 10 a.m. & 1 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.
Continuances
Traffic infraction 1st by Clerk; otherwise Judge on motion
SCRA
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act applies to all military tenants
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Stafford County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Stafford County Building Development Services (540-658-8600) handles permits. The county has a local website for the GDC: staffordcountyva.gov/563/General-District-Court. Stafford is entirely unincorporated — no independent cities or towns create jurisdiction complications.
SCRA / Military Tenants
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protects active-duty military tenants. MCBQ’s proximity means a significant portion of Stafford rentals are occupied by Marines, sailors, FBI Academy personnel, or their families. SCRA provides: early lease termination rights upon PCS orders or deployment (≥90 days); protections against default judgments; interest rate caps on pre-service debt. Landlords should include SCRA disclosures in all leases and confirm military status at application.
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 Stafford rents, deposits of $3,600–$5,000 — thorough documentation essential.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Stafford GDC — 15th Judicial District
Address: 1300 Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 940), The Judicial Center, Stafford, VA 22555. Clerk: Bonnie Lee Camp. Phone: (540) 658-8935. FAX: (540) 658-4834. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges (15th District): Hon. Hugh S. Campbell (Chief), Hon. Vincent S. Donoghue (Presiding), Hon. Richard T. McGrath, Hon. Angela M. O’Connor, Hon. Jane M. Reynolds, Hon. Julia H. Sichol, Hon. Mayo J. Wilson. Same bench as Spotsylvania. Local website: staffordcountyva.gov/563/General-District-Court.
Civil UD Docket & Trial Scheduling
Civil first returns: Monday at 9:00 a.m. — must be scheduled with the Clerk’s Office. ALL civil trials must be scheduled with the Clerk’s Office (Mon 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. / Fri 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.). This is not a walk-in first-return system — the Stafford GDC requires active scheduling coordination with the clerk for civil matters. Traffic: Tues–Fri at 9:00 a.m. Criminal: Tues–Thurs at 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.; Fri at 10:00 a.m. Arraignments: Tues–Fri at 8:30 a.m.
Continuance Policy
Traffic infraction cases: first continuance by Clerk on timely motion. All other matters: Judge on motion. Contact Clerk Bonnie Lee Camp at (540) 658-8935 before your Monday civil date to arrange any civil continuance.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $2,150/month max late fee = $215.
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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⚠️ 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
🏠 Screening Tips
Stafford’s military-heavy market: obtain LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) for all active-duty tenants; apply SCRA disclosure in lease; confirm PCS orders are not pending within 6 months at application. Federal civilian/contractor income is strong but verify GS grade or contract employment letter. ALL civil trials must be scheduled with the clerk. Monday returns by appointment. Non-traffic continuances: Judge on motion only.
Stafford County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Virginia’s Quantico Corridor Military & Commuter Market Guide
Stafford County is Virginia’s fastest-growing large county and one of its most dynamic rental markets, shaped by two powerful and distinct demand forces: the massive military installation at Marine Corps Base Quantico on the county’s northern border, and the relentless Northern Virginia/DC commuter demand that has driven suburban development south along I-95 for three decades. With approximately 160,000 residents and growing, Stafford’s rental market is bifurcated between military-affiliated households and civilian commuter households, each with distinct screening characteristics that landlords must understand.
SCRA and the Military Tenant
MCBQ is one of the nation’s most significant military installations, hosting not only the Marine Corps but the FBI National Academy, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and numerous other federal agencies. Active-duty Marines, sailors, FBI agents, and federal civilian employees and their families represent a substantial share of Stafford’s rental demand. Military tenants have stable, fully verifiable income via the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), which shows base pay, housing allowance (BAH), and all other military pay. BAH for Stafford/Fredericksburg-area E-5 through O-4 personnel at with-dependents rates typically covers market rent comfortably. The critical screening element with military tenants is SCRA awareness: active-duty servicemembers have the right to terminate a lease early upon receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders of 90+ days or deployment orders. This right cannot be waived in a lease. A standard military lease addendum acknowledging SCRA rights protects both parties and reduces friction at lease termination. Landlords who rent to active-duty military near Quantico should build their lease terms and renewal timing around the standard PCS cycle (typically June–August orders).
Stafford General District Court, 15th Judicial District, at 1300 Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 940), The Judicial Center, Stafford, VA 22555. Clerk Bonnie Lee Camp: (540) 658-8935. Civil first returns: Monday at 9:00 a.m. — scheduled with the Clerk’s Office. All civil trials must be scheduled with the clerk (Mon 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. / Fri 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.). This is a high-volume court serving one of Virginia’s largest and fastest-growing counties; the clerk’s scheduling requirement reflects demand for limited court time. Non-traffic continuances go to the Judge on motion. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Rappahannock Legal Services: (540) 371-1105.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. ALL civil trials must be scheduled with the clerk. Monday returns by clerk appointment. SCRA applies to all military tenants. Non-traffic continuances: Judge on motion only. Stafford GDC: P.O. Box 940, Stafford, VA 22555 — (540) 658-8935. Rappahannock Legal Services: (540) 371-1105. Last updated: March 2026.
