Fauquier County is a Northern Virginia Piedmont county of approximately 75,000 residents, anchored by its county seat of Warrenton and defined by its dual identity as both a Northern Virginia commuter county and Virginia’s premier horse country. The county sits at the junction of US-29 and US-17 with access to I-66, placing it within commuting range of Manassas, Gainesville, and the broader DC metro. The Bealeton and Remington corridors provide more affordable housing alternatives for workers priced out of Prince William and Loudoun. Agriculture — particularly equestrian operations, wineries, and specialty farming — remains a significant land use and cultural identity driver.
Year-round rents run $1,500–$2,200/month. The GDC at 6 Court Street in Warrenton runs civil on 1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. (UD/WID/garnishment first returns, interrogatories, small claims, civil motions); civil trials on Thursdays & Fridays at 1:00 p.m., set by the court. The court publishes Local Rules/Procedures/Best Practices and a Notice to Landlords & Tenants Regarding the Eviction Diversion Program — both required reading. Infraction first continuance by Clerk at least 10 days prior; misdemeanor first continuance in open court by Judge.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
6 Court Street, Warrenton, VA 20186
Population
~75,000 (2025 est.) — fast-growing NoVA exurb
Region
Northern Virginia Piedmont — I-66 / US-29 / horse country
Key Communities
Warrenton (seat), Bealeton, Remington, Marshall, The Plains, Midland
Major Employers
Fauquier County gov. & schools, Fauquier Hospital (UVA Health), equestrian/ag sector, NoVA commuters/remote workers, US-29 commercial corridor
Typical SFH Rent
$1,500–$2,200/mo
GDC Clerk
Whitney Danielle Thornton — (540) 422-8035
Key Court Docs
Local Rules PDF + Eviction Diversion Program Notice — read both before filing
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD Returns
1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Civil Trials
Thursdays & Fridays at 1:00 p.m. (set by court)
Continuances (Infractions)
1st by Clerk at least 10 days prior to court date
Continuances (Misdemeanors)
1st granted in open court by Judge only
Eviction Diversion Program
Active — read court Notice before filing UD
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Fauquier County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Fauquier County Community Development (540-422-8200) handles permits. Town of Warrenton and Town of Remington have their own ordinances — confirm for properties within town limits.
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 Fauquier rents, deposits of $3,000–$4,400 at stake.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on first page of lease.
Fauquier GDC — 20th Judicial District
Address: 6 Court Street, Warrenton, VA 20186. Clerk: Whitney Danielle Thornton. Phone: (540) 422-8035. FAX: (540) 422-8033. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Email: fauquiergd@vacourts.gov. GDC Judges (20th District): Hon. Lorrie Ann Sinclair Taylor (Chief), Hon. William R. Fitzpatrick, Hon. Jessica H. Foster, Hon. Eric M. Shamis. The court is located in the GDC building — note that Fauquier County has three separate courthouse buildings each with their own inclement weather policies; the GDC closure decision is made by the GDC Judge.
Civil UD Docket
Civil first returns (UD, WID, garnishments, interrogatories, small claims, civil motions): 1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Civil trials: Thursdays & Fridays at 1:00 p.m., set by the court. Note: there is no civil court on the 3rd Wednesday (reserved for Town of Warrenton/Remington criminal at 9 a.m. and citizen complaints at 1 p.m.). Three Wednesday civil return days per month provides good scheduling frequency for a county this size.
Continuance Policy
Infraction cases: first continuance by Clerk at least 10 days prior to court date; subsequent by Judge in open court. Misdemeanors: first continuance granted in open court by Judge (no Clerk continuance). Subsequent: Judge. Contact Clerk Whitney Thornton at (540) 422-8035 or fauquiergd@vacourts.gov.
Local Rules & Eviction Diversion
The court publishes a detailed Local Rules, Procedures, and Best Practices PDF on its vacourts.gov page — read it before filing. It covers email communications (fauquiergd@vacourts.gov for administrative matters only), emergency filing procedures, agreed orders, interpreter requests (Spanish available; other languages require 10 days’ advance written notice), courtroom decorum, recording policies, and inclement weather. The court also publishes a Notice to Landlords and Tenants Regarding the Eviction Diversion Program — review this before filing any UD action.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,850/month max late fee = $185.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Works (Fredericksburg): (540) 371-1105. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (540) 422-8035. County Community Dev.: (540) 422-8200. 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.
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🏠 Screening Tips
Fauquier NoVA commuters: verify employer letter and ongoing remote/hybrid arrangement; apply 3x monthly rent. Fauquier Hospital/UVA Health staff (stable W-2). Equestrian sector workers (verify year-round vs. seasonal). Read the Eviction Diversion Program notice before filing any UD. Civil: 1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9am. Misdemeanor 1st continuance by Judge in open court only.
Fauquier County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Warrenton Horse Country & Northern Virginia Exurb Guide
Fauquier County occupies a unique position in Virginia’s rental market: close enough to Northern Virginia to draw a significant commuter population, yet rural enough to retain a genuine agricultural and equestrian identity. The county seat of Warrenton is a compact, walkable historic town with an active commercial district, and the broader county includes the Bealeton and Remington corridors, the quaint villages of Marshall and The Plains, and extensive horse farm and winery country. Fauquier Hospital (now part of the UVA Health system) is a key employer, alongside Fauquier County schools and a large government sector.
Eviction Diversion Program & Local Rules
Fauquier’s GDC is one of the more procedurally detailed courts in Virginia, publishing both a comprehensive Local Rules, Procedures, and Best Practices PDF and a specific Notice to Landlords and Tenants Regarding the Eviction Diversion Program. Landlords should review both documents on the court’s vacourts.gov page before filing any UD action. The court handles email communications through fauquiergd@vacourts.gov for administrative matters only — not for substantive legal questions. Non-Spanish language interpreters require at least 10 days’ advance written notice to the clerk.
Fauquier General District Court, 20th Judicial District, at 6 Court Street, Warrenton, VA 20186. Clerk Whitney Danielle Thornton: (540) 422-8035. Office hours 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Civil first returns (UD, WID, garnishments): 1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Civil trials: Thursdays & Fridays at 1:00 p.m., set by the court. Infraction first continuance by Clerk at least 10 days prior; misdemeanor first continuance in open court by Judge. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Works (Fredericksburg): (540) 371-1105.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Read the Local Rules PDF and Eviction Diversion Program notice at vacourts.gov before filing. Civil: 1st, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. Misdemeanor 1st continuance by Judge in open court only. Fauquier GDC: 6 Court Street, Warrenton, VA 20186 — (540) 422-8035. Legal Aid Works: (540) 371-1105. Last updated: March 2026.
