Westmoreland County is a Northern Neck county of approximately 18,000 residents with its county seat in Montross, situated along Route 3 on the Potomac River’s south bank. The county has significant historical importance as the birthplace of both George Washington (at his Popes Creek birthplace in the county) and Robert E. Lee (at Stratford Hall). Colonial Beach — an incorporated town on the Potomac — is the county’s largest community and serves as both a fishing village and a summer/second-home destination for DC-area visitors. The county’s Northern Neck position provides waterfront character and outdoor recreation appeal.
Year-round residential rents run $850–$1,150/month. The GDC at 175 Polk Street in Montross runs civil on the 2nd Monday: 9:00 a.m. first appearance / 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. trials (effective January 1, 2026; previously 11:00 a.m. first appearance). Traffic/criminal every Tuesday (except 5th). The court publishes a Portable Electronic Devices Policy. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge.
📊 Quick Stats
GDC Location
175 Polk Street (P.O. Box 688), Montross, VA 22520
Westmoreland County gov. & schools, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury retirement, tourism/waterfront, agriculture
Typical SFH Rent
$850–$1,150/mo
GDC Clerk
Laura Standbridge Morgan — (804) 493-0105
Electronic Devices
Portable Electronic Devices Policy published — review before appearing
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
5-Day Pay or Quit
Civil First Appearance
2nd Monday at 9:00 a.m. (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Civil Trials
2nd Monday at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
Traffic & Criminal
Tuesdays (except 5th Tuesday)
Continuances
1st by Clerk; subsequent by Judge
Eviction Timeline
5–8 weeks typical (monthly 2nd Monday civil)
Security Deposit Return
45 days after termination
Statute
Va. Code Ann. §§ 55.1-1200 et seq.
Westmoreland County Ordinances & Local Rules
Topic
Rule / Notes
Rental Licensing
No county-level rental registration required. Westmoreland County Building Official (804-493-0110) handles permits. Colonial Beach is an incorporated town within Westmoreland County — confirm any applicable Colonial Beach town ordinances for properties within town limits.
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.
Westmoreland GDC — 15th Judicial District
Address: 175 Polk Street (P.O. Box 688), Montross, VA 22520. Clerk: Laura Standbridge Morgan. Phone: (804) 493-0105. FAX: (804) 493-1203. Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. GDC Judges (15th District): Hon. Hugh S. Campbell (Chief), Hon. Vincent S. Donoghue, Hon. Richard T. McGrath, Hon. Angela M. O’Connor, Hon. Jane M. Reynolds, Hon. Julia H. Sichol, Hon. Mayo J. Wilson. Same bench as Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties. Judge Sichol is the presiding judge for this court’s dockets. The court publishes a Portable Electronic Devices Policy on its vacourts.gov page — review it before appearing.
Civil Docket (eff. Jan. 1, 2026)
Effective January 1, 2026, the civil docket changed to: 2nd Monday at 9:00 a.m. (first appearance) / 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (trials). Previously: 2nd Monday at 11:00 a.m. (first appearance) / 1:00 p.m. (trials). Traffic & criminal: every Tuesday except 5th Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. (arraignments), 10:00 a.m. (Sheriff/trials), 1:00 p.m. (Colonial Beach & State Police). Monthly 2nd Monday civil — a missed 2nd Monday costs a full month.
Continuance Policy
First continuance granted by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Contact Clerk Laura Standbridge Morgan at (804) 493-0105 before your 2nd 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 $1,000/month max late fee = $100.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (Hampton): (757) 627-5423. Virginia Lawyer Referral: (800) 552-7977. Court: (804) 493-0105. County Admin: (804) 493-0110. 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
Westmoreland tenants: county/school employees, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury retirement staff, Colonial Beach seasonal vs. year-round (waterfront tourism = seasonal income variance — verify year-round base pay). Civil only on 2nd Monday — act promptly on nonpayment. Schedule changed Jan. 1, 2026 to 9 a.m. first appearance. Review Portable Electronic Devices Policy before appearing.
Westmoreland County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Northern Neck Potomac Country Guide
Westmoreland County occupies the western end of the Northern Neck, with its northern boundary on the Potomac River and its county seat at Montross — a small but historically significant courthouse town on Route 3. The county has two claims to national historical fame: George Washington was born at Popes Creek in the county, and Robert E. Lee was born at Stratford Hall, also in Westmoreland. Colonial Beach on the Potomac is the county’s largest and most commercially active community, serving as both a year-round residential area and a seasonal waterfront destination.
Westmoreland County General District Court, 15th Judicial District, at 175 Polk Street (P.O. Box 688), Montross, VA 22520. Clerk Laura Standbridge Morgan: (804) 493-0105. Office hours Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Effective January 1, 2026, the civil docket changed: 2nd Monday at 9:00 a.m. first appearance / 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. trials. Monthly 2nd Monday civil means a missed hearing costs a full month. File promptly after the 5-day notice expires to land on the next 2nd Monday. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Review the court’s Portable Electronic Devices Policy on its vacourts.gov page before appearing. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: General informational purposes only. Civil: 2nd Monday only (9:00 a.m. first appearance eff. Jan. 1, 2026). Review Portable Electronic Devices Policy before appearing. First continuance by Clerk; subsequent by Judge. Westmoreland GDC: P.O. Box 688, Montross, VA 22520 — (804) 493-0105. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423. Last updated: March 2026.
