Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules
📍 GDC: 45 School Street (P.O. Box 332), Surry, VA 23883 👥 Pop. ~6,700 — South Bank James River / North of Suffolk ⚖️ 6th Judicial District (Combined GDC/JDR) 🏛 Route 10 / James River / Dominion Energy Surry nuclear
Surry County is one of Virginia’s smallest counties by population at approximately 6,700 residents, situated on the south bank of the James River directly across from Williamsburg and Isle of Wight County. The county’s most significant economic feature is the Dominion Energy Surry Nuclear Power Station, one of Virginia’s two operating nuclear plants, which provides a base of stable, well-compensated technical employment. Surry County is accessible from the north bank of the James primarily via the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (the only remaining river ferry in Virginia’s state system) or by driving through Isle of Wight County to the south. This geographic isolation keeps the county distinctly rural.
Year-round residential rents run $750–$1,050/month. The Combined GDC/JDR at 45 School Street in Surry runs civil on Mondays at 12:00 p.m. (general) and 12:30 p.m. (contested). The court has a strict published dress code. Civil continuances by Clerk with agreement of all parties; traffic/criminal 1st by Clerk; subsequent by Judge.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
45 School Street (P.O. Box 332), Surry Government Center, Surry, VA 23883
Population
~6,700 (2025 est.) — one of Virginia’s smallest counties
Region
South Bank James River — Route 10 / Jamestown Ferry accessible
Key Communities
Surry (seat & government center), Dendron, Spring Grove, Claremont
Major Employers
Dominion Energy Surry Nuclear Power Station, Surry County gov. & schools, agriculture
Typical SFH Rent
$750–$1,050/mo
GDC Clerk
Janeen L. Jackson — (757) 294-5201
Dress Code
Strict — no shorts, no flip flops, no cell phones, no food/drinks, no hats
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil General Docket
Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
Civil Contested
Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
Traffic (State Trooper)
1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Traffic (County Sheriff)
2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Continuances (Civil)
Clerk upon agreement of all parties
Continuances (Traffic/Criminal)
1st by Clerk; subsequent by Judge
Dress Code
Strictly enforced — review policy before appearing
Surry County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Surry County Building Official (757-294-5271) handles permits. The county has no incorporated towns — no jurisdiction complications.
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.
Surry Combined GDC/JDR — 6th Judicial District
Address: 45 School Street (P.O. Box 332), Surry Government Center, Surry, VA 23883. Clerk: Janeen L. Jackson. Phone: (757) 294-5201. FAX: (757) 294-0312. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. GDC Judges (6th District): Hon. Peter D. Eliades (Chief), Hon. Elbert D. Mumphery (Presiding), Hon. William S. Newsome, Hon. Lyndia P. Ramsey, Hon. Patricia T. Watson. JDR Judges: Hon. Jacqueline R. Waymack (Chief), Hon. Christopher B. Ackerman, Hon. Robert John Fierro Jr. Same GDC bench as Sussex County.
Civil UD Docket
Civil: Mondays at 12:00 p.m. (general docket) and 12:30 p.m. (contested cases). Traffic and criminal run Monday mornings: arraignments/bond hearings at 8:30 a.m.; traffic (State Trooper 1st & 3rd Tuesdays / County Sheriff 2nd & 4th Tuesdays) at 9:00 a.m.; criminal trials at 11:00 a.m. Monday afternoon civil follows Monday morning traffic/criminal on the same day. Weekly Monday civil provides one civil day per week.
Continuance Policy
Civil continuances: granted by Clerk upon agreement of all parties. Traffic and criminal: one continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Contact Clerk Janeen L. Jackson at (757) 294-5201 before your Monday civil date to arrange any continuance.
Dress Code Policy
Surry Combined Courts enforces a detailed dress code for all court proceedings. Trousers at the waistline; shirt tails tucked in; shoes required; no flip flops, shorts, strapless dresses, halters, tank tops, bare midriffs/backs, plunging necklines, muscle shirts, or one-shoulder tops; no exposed underwear; no sleepwear or miniskirts; no clothing with vulgar/obscene language; no cell phones or electronic devices; no hats/headscarves/headbands (religious and medical exceptions apply); no food, drinks, or chewing gum. Review the full policy on the court’s vacourts.gov page before appearing.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $900/month max late fee = $90.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (Hampton): (757) 627-5423. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (757) 294-5201. County Admin: (757) 294-5271. 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
Dominion Energy nuclear plant workers (stable, well-paid, W-2 verifiable), county/school employees. Small tenant pool in a very small county. Monday civil at noon. Dress code strictly enforced — no cell phones, no shorts, no food. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement.
Surry County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: James River South Bank Rural County Guide
Surry County is one of Virginia’s smallest and most rural counties, sitting on the south bank of the James River in a geographic position that has historically isolated it from rapid growth. The county’s most significant economic anchor is the Dominion Energy Surry Nuclear Power Station, whose licensed operators, engineers, and support staff represent a well-compensated and stable tenant pool that is entirely disproportionate to the county’s tiny population base. County and school government employment provides a second employment tier. The county is accessible from the Colonial Williamsburg/Jamestown area via the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry — the only active vehicle ferry in Virginia’s state system.
Surry County Combined District Courts, 6th Judicial District, at 45 School Street (P.O. Box 332), Surry Government Center, Surry, VA 23883. Clerk Janeen L. Jackson: (757) 294-5201. Civil at Monday noon (general) and 12:30 p.m. (contested). The court enforces a strict detailed dress code — no shorts, no cell phones, no food/drinks, no hats, and much more. Review the full dress code on the court’s vacourts.gov page before any appearance. Civil continuances by Clerk with agreement of all parties. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Civil: Mondays 12:00 p.m. (general) / 12:30 p.m. (contested). Strict dress code enforced — no cell phones, no shorts, no food/drinks. Civil continuances by Clerk with all parties’ agreement. Surry Combined Courts: P.O. Box 332, Surry, VA 23883 — (757) 294-5201. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423. Last updated: March 2026.
