Lancaster County is a coastal Northern Neck county of approximately 11,000 residents, occupying the finger of land between the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay. It is one of Virginia’s most scenic and historically significant Northern Neck counties, home to Kilmarnock (the county’s primary commercial center, though technically in the Town of Kilmarnock), Irvington, White Stone, and substantial Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock River waterfront. The county has long attracted retirees and second-home buyers for its waterfront character, sailing, fishing, and the low-key resort amenity base anchored by the Tides Inn resort in Irvington. Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (part of the Bon Secours Riverside Health System) in Kilmarnock is the county’s largest single employer.
The rental market has two tiers: affordable year-round residential rentals ($700–$1,000/month) and premium seasonal and vacation waterfront rentals that can command significantly higher rates. The GDC at 8265 Mary Ball Road holds civil cases on a very restricted schedule — the 3rd Wednesday of each month only at 1:00 p.m. — making it critical to file immediately after the notice period expires. The continuance policy for civil UD cases is notably structured: first continuance by Clerk with agreement of parties; all subsequent by Judge.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
8265 Mary Ball Road (P.O. Box 129), Lancaster, VA 22503
Population
~11,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Northern Neck — Rappahannock River / Chesapeake Bay
Key Communities
Lancaster (seat), Kilmarnock (commercial hub), Irvington (waterfront/resort), White Stone, Mollusk
Major Employers
Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, Lancaster County gov. & schools, Tides Inn (Irvington), retail/marine services, agriculture
Typical Year-Round Rent
$700–$1,000/mo (residential)
GDC Clerk
Victoria Lee Keyser — (804) 462-0012 / vkeyser@vacourts.gov
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil Docket
3rd Wednesday ONLY at 1:00 p.m. (monthly; no 5th Wed.)
Contested Civil
3rd Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.
Continuances (Civil)
1st by Clerk with agreement of parties; subsequent by Judge
Eviction Timeline
6–10 weeks typical (monthly civil docket)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Lancaster County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Virginia has no statewide landlord licensing statute. Lancaster County Building Official (804-462-0369) handles permits. Mailing address for court: P.O. Box 129, Lancaster, VA 22503. The Clerk can also be reached by email: vkeyser@vacourts.gov.
Rent Control
None. Virginia law prohibits local rent control (Va. Code § 55.1-1322).
Security Deposit
Capped at 2 months’ rent (Va. Code § 55.1-1226). Must be returned with itemization within 45 days. At Lancaster rents, deposits run $700–$1,000. For waterfront/seasonal rentals structured as short-term, confirm VRLTA applicability with an attorney.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease.
Lancaster GDC — 15th Judicial District
Physical Address: 8265 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, VA 22503. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 129, Lancaster, VA 22503. Clerk: Victoria Lee Keyser. Phone: (804) 462-0012. Fax: (804) 462-0371. Email: vkeyser@vacourts.gov. 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, Hon. Richard T. McGrath, Hon. Angela M. O’Connor, Hon. Jane M. Reynolds, Hon. Julia H. Sichol, Hon. Mayo J. Wilson.
Civil matters (including Unlawful Detainers) are heard on the 3rd Wednesday of each month ONLY at 1:00 p.m. Contested Civil at 1:30 p.m. General court (arraignments, traffic, criminal, bond hearings) runs every Wednesday except 5th Wednesdays. There is no court on 5th Wednesdays at all. With a monthly civil docket on just the 3rd Wednesday, file the day your notice period expires without exception. A missed date or continuance costs a full month.
Continuance Policy
Traffic Infractions: first by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Traffic Misd/Felony: by Clerk with agreement of Judge/Commonwealth’s Attorney. Criminal: by Clerk with agreement of Judge/Commonwealth’s Attorney. Civil Cases: first continuance by Clerk with agreement of both parties; all subsequent continuances by Judge. This means the first civil UD continuance requires the tenant’s agreement in addition to Clerk approval. If the tenant does not agree, the first continuance still requires a Judge.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice before non-emergency entry (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $850/month, maximum late fee is $85/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Rappahannock Legal Services (serving Lancaster): (804) 333-6322 or (800) 678-7529. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Lancaster GDC Clerk: (804) 462-0012. Lancaster County Admin: (804) 462-0217. 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
🏠 Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Lancaster (county seat, Mary Ball Road courthouse area), Kilmarnock (commercial hub in Town of Kilmarnock, most retail and medical services), Irvington (waterfront/resort area, Tides Inn), White Stone (northern end, Rappahannock riverfront), Mollusk (eastern waterfront area).
Two rental tiers: Year-round residential tenants (hospital workers, county employees, modest income) vs. seasonal/vacation rental guests (separate VRLTA analysis needed). For year-round tenants: apply 3x monthly income, verify employment stability. Civil docket 3rd Wednesday only — file the day the notice period expires, no exceptions.
Lancaster County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Property Owners on the Northern Neck
Lancaster County is the Northern Neck’s most recognized peninsula county by national reputation — the home of Kilmarnock’s thriving small-town commercial district, Irvington’s Tides Inn resort, substantial Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock River waterfront, and a small-county character that has drawn retirees, second-home buyers, and a growing remote-work population to its genuinely scenic landscape. With approximately 11,000 year-round residents, Lancaster is a small market with two distinct rental segments: year-round residential housing for local workers and healthcare employees, and seasonal and vacation waterfront rentals for the recreational and resort economy.
Lancaster General District Court, 15th Judicial District, operates from 8265 Mary Ball Road (P.O. Box 129), Lancaster, VA 22503. Clerk Victoria Lee Keyser is reachable at (804) 462-0012, email vkeyser@vacourts.gov. The critical scheduling fact: civil matters are heard on the 3rd Wednesday of each month only at 1:00 p.m., with contested civil at 1:30 p.m. No court on 5th Wednesdays. This is one of Virginia’s most restricted civil dockets — monthly, 3rd Wednesday only. File the day the notice period expires without exception. The civil continuance policy requires agreement of both parties for a Clerk-granted first continuance; if the tenant does not agree, even the first continuance requires a Judge. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Rappahannock Legal Services serves Lancaster County tenants at (804) 333-6322.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Lancaster General District Court: P.O. Box 129, Lancaster, VA 22503 — (804) 462-0012. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Lancaster General District Court: P.O. Box 129, Lancaster, VA 22503 — (804) 462-0012. Rappahannock Legal Services: (804) 333-6322. Last updated: March 2026.
