York County Landlord-Tenant Law

Virginia landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules

York County Rental Market Overview

York County is a high-income Virginia Peninsula county of approximately 70,000 residents, spanning from Yorktown’s historic waterfront to the growing Grafton/Tabb corridor along I-64. Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and the Naval Security Group Activity drive significant military residential demand. Riverside Healthcare, York County schools, and the Colonial Williamsburg/tourism corridor all contribute to a diversified employment base that keeps rental vacancy low year-round.

Rents run $1,400–$2,000/month. Civil: uncontested Thursdays 10am; contested trials Thursdays 1pm & Fridays 9am; small claims 1st Friday 9am. All civil motions must be scheduled by calling the Clerk: (757) 890-3450. Dress Code & no-electronics policies enforced. 1st civil continuance by Clerk if agreeable to both sides; subsequent by Judge. Poquoson City is separate.

York County Ordinances & Local Rules

Last verified: March 2026 · Source: York GDC — 9th Judicial District

Virginia State Law Framework

⚡ Quick Overview

5

Days Notice (Nonpayment)

21

Days Notice (Violation)

45-75

Avg Total Days

$58

Filing Fee (Approx)

💰 Nonpayment of Rent

Notice Type 5-Day Pay or Quit Notice

Notice Period 5 days

Tenant Can Cure? Yes

Days to Hearing 21-30 days

Days to Writ 10 days

Total Estimated Timeline 45-75 days

Total Estimated Cost $150-$400

⚠️ Watch Out

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.

📜 Eviction Laws Main 📊 Compare This State

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📝 Virginia Eviction Process (Overview)

1. Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
2. Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
3. File an eviction case with the General District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$58).
4. Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
5. Attend the court hearing and present your case.
6. If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
7. 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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🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease: Virginia landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding tenant screening in Virginia — including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Virginia's eviction process, proper tenant screening can help you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.

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York County Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law: Yorktown Peninsula Military & Heritage Guide

York County is one of Virginia’s most historically significant and economically prosperous counties. The county seat at Yorktown is the site where the British surrendered to Washington and Rochambeau in 1781, ending the Revolutionary War. Today York County is a modern, high-income Peninsula county of approximately 70,000 residents, heavily influenced by its proximity to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, by the Colonial Williamsburg tourism economy immediately to its west, and by the growing I-64 commercial corridor in the Grafton/Tabb area. With SCRA implications for every military tenant, York landlords operate in one of Virginia’s most complex rental markets. Always use a SCRA-compliant lease addendum and verify BAH entitlement by rank and dependency status.

York County General District Court, 9th Judicial District, at 300 Ballard Street (P.O. Box 316), Yorktown, VA 23690. Clerk Brooke Leanne Reed: (757) 890-3450. Office hours 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Uncontested civil Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.; contested trials Thursdays 1:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m.; small claims 1st Friday 9:00 a.m. ALL civil motions must be scheduled by calling the clerk before appearing. First civil continuance by Clerk if agreeable to both sides; subsequent by Judge. Review the court’s Dress Code and Prohibited Items policies before appearing — cell phones and electronics are not permitted without the Judge’s advance permission. Note that Poquoson City is an independent jurisdiction that holds its own separate dockets at this same courthouse. All 2024 VRLTA updates apply. Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: (757) 627-5423.