Nelson County is a scenic Blue Ridge county of approximately 15,000 residents stretching from the Piedmont foothills west into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where Wintergreen Resort — one of Virginia’s premier ski and four-season resort destinations — anchors the western economy. The county seat is Lovingston, a small crossroads community on US-29 roughly equidistant between Charlottesville (30 miles north) and Lynchburg (30 miles south). Nelson County is Virginia’s wine country heartland, home to a remarkable concentration of award-winning wineries along the Route 151 corridor that has positioned the county as a national agritourism destination. The county was also deeply affected by Hurricane Camille in 1969, and its communities reflect both that historical event and the resilient rural character of post-disaster recovery.
Year-round residential rents run $900–$1,300/month. The GDC at 84 Courthouse Square has an important local rule: call for prior approval of a court date before any civil filing. Civil hearings run on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (no 5th Wednesdays). The continuance policy requires all civil and criminal continuance requests in writing, with the opposing party’s position stated — a more formal process than most Virginia rural courts.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
84 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 514), Lovingston, VA 22949
Population
~15,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Blue Ridge Mountains — US-29 Corridor / Wine Country
Wintergreen Resort, Nelson County gov. & schools, wineries/agritourism (Rt. 151 corridor), Charlottesville/Lynchburg commuters, remote workers
Typical SFH Rent
$900–$1,300/mo (year-round residential)
GDC Clerk
Ashley Melton Johnson — (434) 263-7040
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD Docket
1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (no 5th Wednesday)
Pre-Filing Requirement
CALL (434) 263-7040 for prior approval of court date before any civil filing
Continuances (Traffic)
1st verbal by Clerk; subsequent in writing
Continuances (Civil & Criminal)
Written request required; state grounds and opposing party position
Eviction Timeline
6–9 weeks typical (bi-weekly Wednesday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Nelson County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Nelson County Building Official (434-263-7000) handles permits. Wintergreen Resort and the Route 151 wine corridor agritourism rentals — confirm short-term rental zoning compliance with Nelson County Planning. Clerk email: amjohnson@vacourts.gov.
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 Nelson rents, deposits run $900–$1,300.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 requires all charges on the first page of the lease.
Nelson GDC — 24th Judicial District
Address: 84 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 514), Lovingston, VA 22949. Clerk: Ashley Melton Johnson. Phone: (434) 263-7040. Fax: (434) 263-7033. Email: amjohnson@vacourts.gov. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges (24th District): Hon. Sam Daniel Eggleston III (Chief), Hon. Randy C. Krantz, Hon. Stephanie S. Maddox. The court publishes a formal Continuance Policy and Continuance Motion form on the vacourts.gov Nelson GDC page — download and review both before any continuance request.
Civil UD Docket — 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.
All civil and animal control cases are heard on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. No court on 5th Wednesdays. The entire Wednesday schedule runs: 8:30 a.m. advisements; 9:00 a.m. unrepresented traffic; 10:00 a.m. represented criminal and traffic; 11:00 a.m. unrepresented criminal; then civil at 1:30 p.m. on 1st/3rd Wednesdays only. Critical local rule: Call the Clerk at (434) 263-7040 for prior approval of your court date before making any civil filing. Do not simply file and assume a date — confirm with the Clerk first.
Continuance Policy
Traffic: first request verbal to Clerk; subsequent must be in writing. Civil and criminal continuances: all requests must be submitted in writing, state the grounds for the request, and state the position of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and/or opposing parties. The court provides a formal Continuance Motion form on its website. Download and use the official form; ad hoc continuance requests are not accepted for civil matters.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,100/month, maximum late fee is $110/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Blue Ridge Legal Services (serving Nelson): (540) 343-0010. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Nelson GDC Clerk: (434) 263-7040. Nelson County Admin: (434) 263-7000. 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
Wintergreen Resort employees (ski, summer outdoor recreation) have seasonal income — verify year-round base pay, not seasonal peak. Wine industry workers have similar seasonal variability. Charlottesville/Lynchburg commuters and remote workers are strong tenant profiles. Call (434) 263-7040 for court date approval BEFORE filing any civil case. Civil 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. All continuance requests must be in writing on the official form.
Nelson County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Blue Ridge and Wine Country Property Owners
Nelson County is Virginia’s wine country heartland — a Blue Ridge mountain county whose Route 151 corridor has become one of the most celebrated wine and craft beverage destinations in the Mid-Atlantic. Wintergreen Resort in the county’s western mountains is a year-round draw for skiers, hikers, golfers, and recreation enthusiasts. Lovingston on US-29 provides the county seat and basic services while Charlottesville and Lynchburg — each about 30 miles away — anchor employment for most commuting residents.
Nelson General District Court, 24th Judicial District, is at 84 Courthouse Square (P.O. Box 514), Lovingston, VA 22949. Clerk Ashley Melton Johnson is at (434) 263-7040, fax (434) 263-7033, email amjohnson@vacourts.gov. Before filing any civil case: call (434) 263-7040 for prior approval of your court date. Civil hearings are the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (no 5th Wednesdays). All civil continuance requests must be in writing using the official Continuance Motion form (available on the court’s vacourts.gov page), must state the grounds, and must state the opposing party’s position. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Blue Ridge Legal Services serves Nelson County tenants at (540) 343-0010.
General informational purposes only. Nelson GDC: P.O. Box 514, Lovingston, VA 22949 — (434) 263-7040. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Call (434) 263-7040 for prior court date approval before any civil filing. Nelson GDC: P.O. Box 514, Lovingston, VA 22949. Blue Ridge Legal Services: (540) 343-0010. Last updated: March 2026.
