Virginia landlord guide — city ordinances, courthouse info & local rules
📍 GDC: 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 👥 Pop. ~47,000 — Central Virginia university city / UVA ⚖️ 16th Judicial District GDC 🏛 I-64 / US-29 — UVA — Albemarle County seat — Blue Ridge foothills
Charlottesville is one of Virginia’s most dynamic independent cities, anchored by the University of Virginia (UVA) — both the main university and UVA Health system — and situated at the intersection of I-64 and US-29 in the Blue Ridge foothills. With a population of approximately 47,000 (swelling significantly during the academic year), the city’s rental market is defined by strong demand from UVA students, graduate students, faculty, and medical personnel, alongside a growing tech and professional services sector drawn by the city’s quality of life. The Downtown Mall pedestrian corridor is a regional draw, and the city frequently appears on “best places to live” rankings.
Year-round rents run $1,400–$2,400/month. The GDC at 606 East Market Street runs UD Docket Call on Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m.; Contested Civil Trials on Mondays & Fridays at segmented 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. Civil continuances: first granted by Judge on agreement of all parties — plaintiff or counsel must submit a letter. The court has a local website and accepts interpreter requests by email (cvlgd@vacourts.gov). Remote virtual hearings are available by motion.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Population
~47,000 (2025 est.) — UVA university city; swells during academic year
Region
Central Virginia — I-64 / US-29 — Blue Ridge foothills — Albemarle County adjacent
Key Areas
UVA Grounds, Downtown Mall, Belmont, Fry’s Spring, 10th & Page, Martha Jefferson area
Major Employers
University of Virginia (UVA), UVA Health, city & Albemarle County gov./schools, tech sector, tourism
First by Judge on agreement of all parties — letter required from plaintiff/counsel
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Charlottesville City Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
Charlottesville requires a Business License for rental properties through the Commissioner of the Revenue (434-970-3170). The city also operates a Rental Inspection Program — confirm current requirements at charlottesville.gov before renting. Student-area rentals near UVA Grounds are subject to additional occupancy and zoning rules.
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 written itemization. At Charlottesville rents, deposits of $2,800–$4,800 at stake.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on first page of lease.
Charlottesville GDC — 16th Judicial District
Address: P.O. Box 2677 / 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Clerk: Mary Alice Trimble. Phone: (434) 970-3388. FAX: (434) 970-3387. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Court email: cvlgd@vacourts.gov (interpreter requests & remote hearing motions). GDC Judges (16th District): Hon. Claiborne H. Stokes Jr. (Chief Judge), Hon. Theresa W. Carter, Hon. Matthew J. Quatrara, Hon. Kenneth Andrew Sneathern (Presiding Judge). Local website: charlottesville.gov/176/General-District-Court.
Civil UD Docket
UD Docket Call: Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. Small Claims: Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. Contested Civil Trials (including UD trials): Mondays & Fridays at segmented 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. Garnishments: Fridays at 2:00 p.m. (no appearance needed). Warrants in Debt and other civil motions also handled Monday and Friday afternoons.
Continuance Policy
Civil: First continuance granted by Judge on agreement of all parties. Plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must submit a letter. Traffic: Clerk may grant one continuance for prepayable offenses to the officer’s next court date. Felonies and misdemeanors: contact the Commonwealth Attorney’s office; submit agreed date to Judge in writing prior to court date.
Remote Virtual Hearings
Remote virtual hearing requests must be submitted via the Motion for Remote Virtual Hearing form forwarded to cvlgd@vacourts.gov. Foreign language and sign language interpreter requests also go to cvlgd@vacourts.gov. Cell phones are secured and not accessible in the courtroom unless permitted by the Court.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,900/month, max late fee = $190.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Justice Center (Charlottesville): (434) 977-0553. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (434) 970-3388. City Housing: charlottesville.gov. 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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⚠️ 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
UVA undergrads: require parental co-signer with 3x monthly rent. Graduate students and medical residents: verify stipend or W-2 amount. UVA Health staff: strong W-2 tenants. Tech sector: verify offer letter for new hires. Civil UD docket call: Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. Civil continuances require written letter to Judge — no clerk walk-up. Remote virtual hearing option available — file motion to cvlgd@vacourts.gov.
Charlottesville City Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: UVA College Town, Downtown Mall & Central Virginia Independent City Guide
Charlottesville is Virginia’s preeminent university city, shaped at every level by the University of Virginia — from the architectural aesthetic of UVA Grounds to the rental market dynamics in neighborhoods like Rugby Road, Belmont, and 10th & Page. The city operates as a fully independent jurisdiction, separate from surrounding Albemarle County despite the two sharing a geographic footprint. UVA Health — one of the Southeast’s major academic medical centers — employs thousands of physicians, nurses, and support staff, creating a stable professional renter base. The city’s Downtown Mall is one of Virginia’s most active pedestrian commercial corridors.
Civil Continuance Process — Judge-Gated
Charlottesville GDC has a distinctive continuance procedure for civil cases: the first continuance requires Judge approval, not a simple clerk call. All parties must agree, and the plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must submit a written letter to the court stating that the date was agreed upon by all parties and that the defendant was notified. There is no walk-up or phone continuance process for civil matters. Plan accordingly when scheduling. The court also offers remote virtual hearings — file the Motion for Remote Virtual Hearing form to cvlgd@vacourts.gov ahead of time.
Charlottesville General District Court, 16th Judicial District, at 606 East Market Street. Clerk Mary Alice Trimble: (434) 970-3388. Office hours 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. UD Docket Call: Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. Contested Civil Trials: Mondays & Fridays at segmented 1:00/2:00/3:00 p.m. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Justice Center: (434) 977-0553.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. UD Docket Call: Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. Civil continuances require written letter agreed by all parties — Judge-gated. Remote virtual hearing motions to cvlgd@vacourts.gov. Charlottesville GDC: 606 East Market Street — (434) 970-3388. Legal Aid Justice Center: (434) 977-0553. Last updated: March 2026.
