Nottoway County is a Southside Virginia county of approximately 15,500 residents centered on the county seat of Nottoway Courthouse and the town of Blackstone, the county’s largest incorporated community. Located along US-460 between Petersburg and Lynchburg, the county’s economic base includes agriculture, corrections (Pocahontas State Correctional Center and Deerfield Correctional Center), Southside Virginia Community College, and government employment. The county shares its 11th Judicial District combined court with several adjacent Southside localities.
Year-round residential rents run $700–$950/month. The Combined GDC/JDR at 328 West Courthouse Road operates a structured schedule: civil runs every Friday at 9:00 a.m., covering garnishments, first callings, warrants in debt, unlawful detainers, contested cases, and small claims all in one Friday morning block. All GDC continuances are granted by Judge only (governed by Rule 8:14) — the strictest continuance standard in this batch. An extensive dress code applies to all proceedings.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
328 West Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 25), Nottoway, VA 23955
Population
~15,500 (2025 est.)
Region
Southside Virginia — US-460 Corridor (Petersburg to Lynchburg)
Nottoway County gov. & schools, Pocahontas State Correctional Center, Deerfield Correctional Center, Southside Virginia Community College, agriculture
Typical SFH Rent
$700–$950/mo (year-round residential)
GDC Clerk
Mary R. Childress — (434) 645-9312 — mchildress@vacourts.gov
Dress Code
Strictly enforced — extensive policy applies
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD / First Callings
Every Friday at 9:00 a.m. (garnishments, UD, warrants, small claims)
Continuances (GDC)
ALL granted by Judge only (Rule 8:14)
Dress Code
Strictly enforced — no shorts, halters, tank tops, bare midriffs, exposed underwear, cell phones
Eviction Timeline
3–5 weeks typical (weekly Friday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Nottoway County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Nottoway County Building Official (434-645-8696) handles permits. Town of Blackstone zoning may apply to properties within town limits — confirm with the Town of Blackstone (434-292-7161) for rental properties inside town boundaries.
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.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Nottoway Combined GDC/JDR — 11th Judicial District
Address: 328 West Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 25), Nottoway, VA 23955. Clerk: Mary R. Childress. Phone: (434) 645-9312. Fax: (434) 645-8584. Email: mchildress@vacourts.gov. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m. GDC Judges: Hon. Thomas Stark IV (Chief), Hon. Kenneth A. Blalock, Hon. Brian H. Jones. JDR Judges: Hon. Cheryl J. Wilson (Chief), Hon. Phillip T. DiStanislao, Hon. Theresa J. Royall. This is a Combined Court serving both GDC and JDR functions.
Civil UD Docket — Every Friday at 9:00 a.m.
All civil matters — garnishments, first callings, warrants in debt, warrants in detinue, unlawful detainer actions, contested cases, and small claims — are heard every Friday at 9:00 a.m. This is an efficient weekly Friday civil block where UD is heard alongside garnishments and small claims in the same docket. Traffic runs Wednesdays (9:00 a.m. arraignments, 9:15 a.m. regular traffic, 10:00 a.m. serious traffic trials); criminal runs Wednesday 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. JDR matters run Thursdays.
Continuance Policy (GDC)
ALL GDC continuances are granted by Judge only, governed by Rule 8:14. There is no Clerk-granted first continuance for GDC matters. Plan your filing and appearance carefully — any request to continue requires Judge approval. JDR continuances consented to by all parties may be granted by Clerk under Rule 8:14(a).
Dress Code
Strictly enforced for all proceedings. No shorts, halters, tank tops, strapless dresses, bare midriffs/stomachs/backs, or plunging necklines. No clothing displaying vulgar, obscene, or offensive language. No sleepwear, bodysuits, or miniskirts. No short dresses more than 3 inches above the knee. No exposed underwear; trousers at the waistline. No food, drinks, or gum. No cell phones or electronic devices.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $825/month, maximum late fee is $82.50/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society: (804) 649-8991. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Nottoway Combined Court Clerk: (434) 645-9312. Nottoway County Admin: (434) 645-8696. 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
Corrections facility employees provide stable government income — verify pay stubs from the DOC. SVCC faculty and staff are reliable mid-income tenants. Agricultural workers may have seasonal income variations. Key reminders: ALL GDC continuances require Judge approval — no Clerk first continuance. Strict dress code enforced — no cell phones in court. Civil every Friday at 9:00 a.m.
Nottoway County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Southside Landlord’s Guide
Nottoway County is a Southside Virginia county whose economy reflects the region’s characteristic blend of agriculture, corrections employment, community college education, and small-town commerce. The US-460 corridor connects the county to Petersburg to the east and Lynchburg to the west, and the county’s two largest correctional facilities provide stable government employment to a significant portion of the working population. Southside Virginia Community College in Blackstone contributes a modest student and faculty rental market. Year-round rents of $700–$950/month reflect the county’s rural Southside character.
Nottoway Combined District Courts, 11th Judicial District, are at 328 West Courthouse Road (P.O. Box 25), Nottoway, VA 23955. Clerk Mary R. Childress: (434) 645-9312, mchildress@vacourts.gov. Civil runs every Friday at 9:00 a.m. — garnishments, first callings, UD, warrants in debt, contested cases, and small claims all in one Friday morning block. All GDC continuances are granted by Judge only (Rule 8:14) — there is no Clerk-granted first continuance. Strict dress code applies; no cell phones or electronic devices permitted in court. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves Nottoway tenants at (804) 649-8991.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. ALL GDC continuances by Judge only (Rule 8:14) — no Clerk first continuance. Nottoway Combined Courts: P.O. Box 25, Nottoway, VA 23955 — (434) 645-9312. Central Virginia Legal Aid: (804) 649-8991. Last updated: March 2026.
