Emporia is one of Virginia’s smallest independent cities, with approximately 5,400 residents, and also serves as the county seat of Greensville County — though it is legally separate from it. Positioned at the intersection of I-95 and US-58 just north of the North Carolina border, Emporia is both a regional service center for the surrounding agricultural area and a highway stop that supports travelers and commercial trucking. The economy includes agriculture-related processing, the I-95 corridor hospitality and retail sector, government, and modest manufacturing. Virginia State University’s Ettrick campus is within reasonable commuting distance.
Year-round rents run $650–$950/month. The combined GDC (shared with Greensville County) runs civil on Thursdays: 11:00 a.m. (civil returns) and 1:00 p.m. (contested civil). Protracted criminal, miscellaneous motions, and contested civil also on Fridays. First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Critical policy: do NOT email continuance requests — ALL continuance requests must be faxed to (434) 634-0049.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
315 South Main Street, Emporia, VA 23847
Population
~5,400 (2025 est.) — small independent city; Greensville County seat
Region
Southside Virginia — I-95 / US-58 corridor — Meherrin River — NC border
Key Context
Shares GDC with Greensville County; regional I-95 service hub; agricultural and corridor economy
Major Employers
Agricultural processing, city & Greensville County gov./schools, I-95 hospitality/retail, modest manufacturing
Typical SFH Rent
$650–$950/mo
GDC Clerk
Janell Monique Wilson — (434) 634-5400
Critical Policy
DO NOT EMAIL continuances — ALL requests must be FAXED to (434) 634-0049
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil Returns (UD)
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.
Contested Civil
Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.; also Fridays
Continuances
First by Clerk; subsequent by Judge
Continuance Method
FAX ONLY to (434) 634-0049 — do NOT email
Combined Court
Shared with Greensville County GDC & JDR
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Emporia City Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
Confirm current rental registration and inspection requirements with Emporia City Hall before renting. Greensville County (separate jurisdiction surrounding the city) has its own ordinances — not applicable to Emporia city properties.
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 Emporia rents, deposits of $1,300–$1,900 at stake.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on first page of lease.
Emporia GDC — 6th Judicial District
Address: 315 South Main Street, Emporia, VA 23847. Clerk: Janell Monique Wilson. Phone: (434) 634-5400. FAX: (434) 634-0049. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges (6th District): Hon. Peter D. Eliades (Chief Judge), Hon. Elbert D. Mumphery, Hon. William S. Newsome, Hon. Lyndia P. Ramsey, Hon. Patricia T. Watson. The Emporia GDC is a combined court with Greensville County GDC and JDR, all sharing the same clerk and address. The 6th District covers both Emporia and Greensville County.
Civil UD Docket
Civil Returns (UD/WID/first returns): Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. Contested Civil: Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. Protracted Criminal, Miscellaneous Motions & Pleadings, and Contested Civil: Fridays. Monday and Tuesday: criminal/traffic dockets (State Police, advisements). Note: the Greensville County docket alternates with the Emporia docket on some dates — confirm your specific hearing location with the Clerk.
Continuance Policy — FAX ONLY
DO NOT EMAIL CONTINUANCE REQUESTS. ALL CONTINUANCE REQUESTS MUST BE FAXED to (434) 634-0049. First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequent continuances granted by Judge. This is prominently noted as a Local Policy on the court’s vacourts.gov page — emailed requests will not be processed. Keep your fax confirmation as proof of submission.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $800/month, max late fee = $80.
Legal Aid
Southside Virginia Legal Aid (Petersburg office): (804) 862-6100. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (434) 634-5400. 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
I-95 hospitality/retail workers: apply 3x monthly rent on base wages; tip income is variable. Government and school employees: stable W-2. Agricultural sector: verify year-round vs. seasonal status. FAX continuance requests to (434) 634-0049 — emails are not accepted. Civil UD: Thursdays 11:00 a.m. Contested: Thursdays 1:00 p.m. First continuance by Clerk.
Emporia City Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: I-95 Crossroads, Meherrin River & Southside Independent City Guide
Emporia is a compact, self-contained independent city at the heart of Southside Virginia’s agricultural belt, positioned at one of the most strategically visible I-95 exits in the state — the last major stop in Virginia before the North Carolina border. With roughly 5,400 residents, the city is small but serves a regional function well beyond its size: it is the county seat of Greensville County (while being legally separate from it), a service hub for surrounding farming communities, and an I-95 corridor stop for travelers and trucking. The rental market is modest and stable, driven primarily by government, school, and agricultural processing employment.
Fax-Only Continuances — A Hard Rule
Emporia’s GDC has a policy that is explicitly and prominently posted on their vacourts.gov page: do not email continuance requests. All continuance requests must be faxed to (434) 634-0049. Emailed requests simply will not be processed, and a landlord who thinks they secured a continuance by email may find themselves in default. Keep your fax confirmation on file. The first continuance is available from the Clerk by fax; subsequent continuances go to the Judge. Civil UD returns are Thursdays at 11:00 a.m.; contested matters are Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. and Fridays. The court shares its clerk and address with the Greensville County GDC — confirm your specific hearing location when scheduling. Emporia GDC: 315 South Main Street — Clerk Janell Monique Wilson (434) 634-5400. Southside Virginia Legal Aid: (804) 862-6100.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. FAX continuances to (434) 634-0049 — DO NOT EMAIL. Civil UD returns: Thursdays 11:00 a.m. Contested: Thursdays 1:00 p.m. First continuance by Clerk. Emporia GDC: 315 South Main Street — (434) 634-5400. Southside VA Legal Aid: (804) 862-6100. Last updated: March 2026.
