Pittsylvania County is Virginia’s largest county by land area — a sprawling Southside Virginia county of approximately 60,000 residents that completely surrounds the independent City of Danville along the US-29 corridor near the North Carolina border. The county seat of Chatham sits on a ridge above the Dan River, while Danville to the south serves as the region’s commercial, healthcare, and employment hub. Pittsylvania’s economy includes agriculture (especially tobacco historically), manufacturing, and a growing economic development footprint tied to the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority.
Year-round residential rents run $750–$1,050/month. The GDC at 11 Bank Street in Chatham runs a structured five-day schedule with civil on Wednesdays and Fridays: pro se civil at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, contested at 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Wednesday; pro se at 8:30 a.m. Friday and attorney first returns at 10:00 a.m. Friday. Agreed first continuances by Clerk; contested or second-plus by Judge. Danville is an independent city with its own separate GDC jurisdiction.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
11 Bank Street, Suite 201 (P.O. Box 695), Chatham, VA 24531
Population
~60,000 (2025 est.) — Virginia’s largest county by area
Region
Southside Virginia — US-29 Corridor / Danville / NC border
Key Communities
Chatham (seat), Hurt, Gretna, Blairs, Cascade
Major Employers
Pittsylvania County gov. & schools, manufacturing, agriculture/tobacco, Danville Regional Medical Center (city), Averett University (city)
Typical SFH Rent
$750–$1,050/mo
GDC Clerk
M. LeAnn Holland — (434) 432-7879
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil Pro Se
Wed & Fri at 8:30 a.m.
Civil Contested
Wed 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at assigned times
Attorney First Returns
Fri 10:00 a.m.
Continuances
Agreed 1st by Clerk; contested or 2nd+ by Judge for good cause
Eviction Timeline
3–5 weeks typical (Wed/Fri civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Pittsylvania County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Pittsylvania County Building Official (434-432-7750) handles permits. Properties within the City of Danville are under Danville’s separate jurisdiction — confirm with Danville City GDC (434-799-5168) for city-located rentals.
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.
Pittsylvania GDC — 22nd Judicial District
Address: 11 Bank Street, Suite 201 (P.O. Box 695), Chatham, VA 24531. Clerk: M. LeAnn Holland. Phone: (434) 432-7879. Fax: (434) 432-7915. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges: Hon. Allen W. (A.J.) Dudley Jr. (Chief), Hon. Leslie R. (Les) Adams (Presiding), Hon. Greg T. Haymore. The 22nd District also covers the independent City of Danville. Confirm county vs. city jurisdiction before filing.
Civil UD Docket — Wed & Fri
Civil schedule: Wed & Fri at 8:30 a.m. for pro se litigants; Wed 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for contested cases at assigned times; Fri 10:00 a.m. for attorney first returns. Criminal/traffic runs Mon, Tue & Thu (pro se at 8:30 a.m., review 9:30 a.m., represented at assigned times 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.); arraignments Mon–Fri at 8:30 a.m.
Continuance Policy
Agreed motions for first continuance granted by Clerk. Contested motions and any second or subsequent continuance motions granted by Judge for good cause shown.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $900/month, maximum late fee is $90/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Blue Ridge Legal Services (Martinsville, serving Pittsylvania): (276) 638-5151. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Pittsylvania GDC: (434) 432-7879. Pittsylvania County Admin: (434) 432-7750. 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
Pittsylvania County tenants include county/school employees, manufacturing workers, agriculture-related workers, and Danville commuters. Verify income from verifiable employment (pay stubs, W-2s). Jurisdiction check: properties inside Danville city limits file at Danville GDC, not Pittsylvania. Civil Wed/Fri — agreed continuances granted by Clerk; contested or 2nd+ by Judge.
Pittsylvania County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Southside Landlord’s Guide
Pittsylvania County is Virginia’s largest county by land area, a sprawling Southside county that wraps around the independent City of Danville on Virginia’s border with North Carolina. With approximately 60,000 residents and a county seat in Chatham, Pittsylvania’s economy reflects Southside Virginia’s agricultural heritage and manufacturing base, now evolving with economic development investments that leverage the region’s industrial parks and workforce. The county and city together form the Danville-Pittsylvania regional economic zone — but for legal purposes, they are entirely separate jurisdictions with separate courts.
Pittsylvania General District Court, 22nd Judicial District, is at 11 Bank Street, Suite 201 (P.O. Box 695), Chatham, VA 24531. Clerk M. LeAnn Holland: (434) 432-7879. Civil runs Wednesday and Friday: pro se at 8:30 a.m. both days; contested Wednesday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at assigned times; attorney first returns Friday 10:00 a.m. Agreed first continuances by Clerk; contested or second-plus by Judge for good cause. Properties in Danville city limits file at Danville GDC, not here. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Blue Ridge Legal Services serves Pittsylvania tenants at (276) 638-5151.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Danville is an independent city — confirm your property’s jurisdiction before filing. Pittsylvania GDC: P.O. Box 695, Chatham, VA 24531 — (434) 432-7879. Blue Ridge Legal Services: (276) 638-5151. Last updated: March 2026.
