Powhatan County is one of Richmond’s fastest-growing western exurbs, with approximately 32,000 residents in a county that has transformed over the past two decades from a quiet rural county into a sought-after bedroom community for Richmond professionals who value larger lot sizes, lower density, and scenic rural character within a 30-minute commute of the metro. The county seat at Powhatan Courthouse on US-60 remains a compact crossroads community, while residential growth has spread across the county’s rolling terrain. The county has no major incorporated towns; it is entirely unincorporated with rural character despite its suburban population profile.
Year-round residential rents run $1,300–$1,800/month, reflecting Richmond exurban pricing. The Combined GDC/JDR at 3880-D Old Buckingham Road runs a Thursday civil schedule: GDC civil at 1:00 p.m. Thursday with contested at 2:00 p.m. Continuances are governed by Rule 8:14 — the Clerk may grant a continuance consented to by all parties.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
3880-D Old Buckingham Road, Courthouse, Powhatan, VA 23139
Population
~32,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Richmond Western Exurb — US-60 Corridor
Character
Entirely unincorporated; no towns; rural-residential exurb
Major Employers
Powhatan County gov. & schools; Richmond commuters dominate workforce
Typical SFH Rent
$1,300–$1,800/mo
GDC Clerk
Lamar Maurice Crockett — (804) 598-5665
Rent Control
None
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil UD First Callings
Every Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
Contested Civil
Every Thursday at 2:00 p.m.
Continuances
Rule 8:14 — Clerk if all parties consent; otherwise Judge
Eviction Timeline
3–5 weeks typical (weekly Thursday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Powhatan County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Powhatan County Building Official (804-598-5612) handles permits. No incorporated towns; all properties are county jurisdiction. Short-term rentals: confirm zoning compliance with Powhatan County Community Development (804-598-5616) before listing.
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 Powhatan rents, deposits of $2,600–$3,600 are at stake — document thoroughly.
Fee Disclosure (2024)
Va. Code § 55.1-1204.1 — all charges on the first page of the lease.
Powhatan Combined GDC/JDR — 11th Judicial District
Address: 3880-D Old Buckingham Road, Courthouse, Powhatan, VA 23139. Clerk: Lamar Maurice Crockett. Phone: (804) 598-5665. Fax: (804) 598-5648. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges: Hon. Thomas Stark IV (Chief/Presiding), Hon. Kenneth A. Blalock, Hon. Brian H. Jones. JDR Judges: Hon. Cheryl J. Wilson (Chief), Hon. Phillip T. DiStanislao, Hon. Theresa J. Royall (Presiding). This is the same 11th District bench as Nottoway County.
Civil UD Docket — Every Thursday 1:00 p.m.
GDC civil runs every Thursday: first callings at 1:00 p.m., contested civil at 2:00 p.m. GDC traffic/criminal runs Thursday mornings (State Troopers 9:00 a.m.; arraignments 10:00 a.m.; trials 10:30 a.m.) and Friday mornings (Deputies, same schedule). JDR runs Tuesday and Wednesday. Weekly Thursday civil provides reliable weekly UD scheduling for this growing exurban county.
Continuance Policy
Continuances governed by Rule 8:14. Clerk may grant a continuance consented to by all parties under Rule 8:14(a). Contested continuances or those where not all parties agree go to the Judge. Contact the court at (804) 598-5665 before your Thursday hearing to arrange any continuance.
Landlord Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,550/month, maximum late fee is $155/month.
Legal Aid / Resources
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society: (804) 649-8991. Virginia Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 552-7977. Powhatan Combined Court: (804) 598-5665. Powhatan County Admin: (804) 598-5612. 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
Powhatan draws dual-income Richmond commuter households seeking more space. Apply 3x monthly rent from verifiable W-2 employment. Document move-in and move-out thoroughly — at $1,300–$1,800/month rents, security deposits of $2,600–$3,600 are significant. Civil every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. — act immediately on nonpayment. Continuances: Clerk if all parties agree (Rule 8:14); otherwise Judge.
Powhatan County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Richmond Exurb Guide
Powhatan County is Richmond’s quintessential western exurb — a county with no incorporated towns, a rolling rural landscape of farms and forests, and a rapidly growing residential population of households that have chosen space and character over proximity. Located about 25 miles west of downtown Richmond on the US-60 corridor, Powhatan has attracted families and professionals who commute to Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico while living in a county that feels genuinely rural. The county’s population has grown from about 22,000 in 2000 to 32,000 today, driven almost entirely by residential development serving the Richmond commuter market.
Powhatan Combined District Courts, 11th Judicial District, are at 3880-D Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan, VA 23139. Clerk Lamar Maurice Crockett: (804) 598-5665. GDC civil runs every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. (first callings) and 2:00 p.m. (contested). Continuances governed by Rule 8:14 — Clerk may grant if all parties consent; otherwise Judge. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Central Virginia Legal Aid Society serves Powhatan tenants at (804) 649-8991.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Powhatan Combined Courts: 3880-D Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan, VA 23139 — (804) 598-5665. Central Virginia Legal Aid: (804) 649-8991. Last updated: March 2026.
