Washington County is Southwest Virginia’s cultural and governmental hub, with approximately 54,000 residents and its county seat in Abingdon — one of the most historically significant and architecturally preserved small towns in Virginia. Abingdon is home to the Barter Theatre (Virginia’s State Theatre), the Virginia Creeper Trail’s terminus, a celebrated arts scene, and the Virginia Highlands Community College main campus. The county sits on the Virginia-Tennessee border, with Bristol (Virginia and Tennessee) as its border city and I-81 as the primary economic corridor. Washington County is the commercial, healthcare, and government center for the broader Bristol MSA.
Year-round residential rents run $850–$1,200/month. The GDC at 191 East Main Street in Abingdon runs civil on Mondays: UD at 10:30 a.m., other civil/collection pro se/attorney at 9:00 a.m., garnishments at 9:00 a.m., small claims on 3rd Mondays at 10:30 a.m.First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Bristol City is an adjacent independent city (gold pill).
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
191 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210
Population
~54,000 (2025 est.)
Region
Southwest Virginia — I-81 / Bristol MSA / VA-TN border
Key Communities
Abingdon (seat & cultural hub), Glade Spring, Damascus, Saltville (Smyth County border)
Major Employers
Johnston Memorial Hospital (Ballad Health), Washington County gov. & schools, Virginia Highlands Community College, Barter Theatre, I-81 commercial corridor
Typical SFH Rent
$850–$1,200/mo
GDC Clerk
Sara Kathleen Keen — (276) 676-6281 / (276) 676-6279
No county-level rental registration required. Washington County Building Official (276-676-6272) handles permits. Jurisdiction note: Bristol City (Virginia) is an independent city adjacent to Washington County — properties within Bristol VA city limits file at the Bristol GDC, not Washington County GDC. The towns of Abingdon, Damascus, and Glade Spring are within county jurisdiction. Confirm your property’s county vs. city status before filing.
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.
Washington GDC — 28th Judicial District
Address: 191 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Clerk: Sara Kathleen Keen. Phones: (276) 676-6281 / (276) 676-6279. FAX: (276) 676-3136. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (payments stop at 4:00 p.m.). GDC Judges (28th District): Hon. Travis B. Lee (Presiding/Chief), Hon. Robert L. Hobbs (Presiding), Hon. Suzan E. Moore. Same bench as Smyth County. The 28th District also serves Smyth County and the City of Galax.
Civil UD Docket
UD returns: every Monday at 10:30 a.m. Other civil (collection attorneys & pro se): every Monday at 9:00 a.m. Garnishments: every Monday at 9:00 a.m. (garnishment release: exemptions hearings scheduled the following Monday after filing). Small Claims: 3rd Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Behavioral Health Docket: 2nd & 4th Mondays at 2:30 p.m. Criminal: Wednesdays (felony/misdemeanor at 9 a.m./1:30 p.m.). Traffic: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays (by town and county). Weekly Monday UD returns provide excellent scheduling frequency.
Continuance Policy
First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequent continuances by Judge. Contact Clerk Sara Kathleen Keen at (276) 676-6281 before your Monday civil date to arrange any continuance.
Entry Notice
Minimum 72 hours’ advance written notice (2024 VRLTA update).
Late Fees
Capped at 10% of monthly rent. At $1,025/month max late fee = $102.50.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Southwest Virginia (Abingdon): (276) 623-3021. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (276) 676-6281. County Admin: (276) 676-6272. 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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Bristol City is a separate independent jurisdiction — confirm county vs. city before filing. Johnston Memorial Hospital staff (Ballad Health), county/school employees, VHCC staff/students (require co-signer), I-81 commercial workers. UD every Monday at 10:30 a.m. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge.
Washington County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Abingdon & the Bristol MSA Landlord Guide
Washington County is Southwest Virginia’s cultural and commercial anchor, with Abingdon as one of the most distinctive and celebrated small towns in the region. The county seat’s historic Main Street, Barter Theatre, and Virginia Creeper Trail attract visitors and residents who value quality-of-life amenities that are unusual for a county of its size and economic base. Johnston Memorial Hospital (now part of Ballad Health) is the county’s largest employer. Virginia Highlands Community College serves the broader 28th District region. The county’s I-81 corridor generates substantial commercial employment in retail, logistics, and services.
Bristol City Jurisdiction — Know Before You File
The most critical practical issue for Washington County landlords is the Bristol City boundary. Bristol, Virginia is an independent city that physically borders Washington County and shares the I-81 corridor with the county. Properties within Bristol Virginia city limits file at the Bristol City GDC; properties in Washington County (including the Town of Abingdon and other county communities) file at the Washington County GDC at 191 East Main Street in Abingdon. The city-county boundary runs through the Bristol commercial area and can be difficult to identify on the ground. Always verify your parcel’s county vs. city tax assessment status before filing any legal action. Note that Bristol Tennessee is a separate state jurisdiction entirely.
Washington County General District Court, 28th Judicial District, at 191 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. Clerk Sara Kathleen Keen: (276) 676-6281. Office hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (payments stop at 4:00 p.m.). UD returns: every Monday at 10:30 a.m. — weekly frequency is excellent for a Southwest Virginia county. Other civil and garnishments at 9:00 a.m. same day. Small claims 3rd Mondays 10:30 a.m. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Southwest Virginia: (276) 623-3021.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Bristol City (VA) is a separate independent jurisdiction — confirm county vs. city before filing. UD: every Monday at 10:30 a.m. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Washington County GDC: 191 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 — (276) 676-6281. Legal Aid Society of Southwest Virginia: (276) 623-3021. Last updated: March 2026.
