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Virginia · Richmond Metro South · #307 Most Populous County in the US
Chesterfield County, Virginia
Chesterfield is Virginia's most populous county - Richmond's southwestern suburban powerhouse, where Midlothian's retail corridors, Swift Creek Reservoir's waterfront communities, and some of Virginia's highest-rated school divisions have driven explosive growth for three decades. Property tax, courts, public records, probate, and senior services for Chesterfield County residents.
Affiliate disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you use them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of these relationships.
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Chesterfield County's assessment ratio means effective tax rates are low — but incorrect appraisals still cost money. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Office: Chesterfield County Emergency Management – offers free community preparedness courses (basic and financial emergency preparedness)
Emergency Communications Center (ECC): (804) 748-1556 (administration/feedback); Fire and Life Safety questions: (804) 748-1426
Notes: The county publishes the Central Virginia Regional Emergency Preparedness Guide and FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit as planning resources. Businesses, apartment communities, and places of worship are encouraged to submit emergency contact/location information (alarm codes, knox boxes, AED locations, etc.) to help first responders during an incident.
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
Roads: I-95 and I-295 both cross the county, which sits directly south of Richmond
Transit: GRTC Transit System (Richmond regional transit) serves parts of Chesterfield County
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Chesterfield County Building Inspection – P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Residential permit questions: (804) 748-1057; Inspection scheduling (7 days a week): (804) 751-4444 or via the automated IVR system
Services: Applications, plan submittal, payment, and inspection requests are all handled through the county’s Enterprise Land Management (ELM) citizen access portal; the 2021 Virginia Construction Code is mandatory for all permit applications dated January 18, 2025 or later
Notes: A 2% state levy fee applies to permits in addition to standard fees. Emergency repairs or equipment replacement can proceed immediately, but a permit must be obtained the next working day following the emergency. Once issued, the building permit and approved plans are either mailed, available for download via ELM, or held for pickup for 3 business days before being mailed – choose your preferred delivery method during application. The permit must be posted at the construction site, readable from the public way, until work is complete.
Veterans Services
VETERANS SERVICES
State VSO: Virginia Department of Veterans Services – dvs.virginia.gov (statewide office locator for the nearest Veterans Service Representative)
Notes: Confirm current local point of contact directly with dvs.virginia.gov
Libraries
LIBRARIES
System: Chesterfield County Public Library – multiple branches across the county
Notes: Confirm current branch addresses and hours directly, as detailed information was limited in available sources
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s largest state park at 7,919 acres, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps along Swift Creek and donated to Virginia State Parks by the National Park Service in 1946 – features Beaver Lake, 5 miles of hiking trails, a 5-mile bike trail, roughly 9 miles of bridle trails, seven rentable picnic shelters, and a Civilian Conservation Corps Museum; Henricus Historical Park, a living-history site; the annual Chesterfield County Fair
Notes: Pocahontas State Park is jointly funded and expanded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and Chesterfield County under a 1989 master plan to serve the large surrounding urban population – a genuinely significant recreational asset for the region, not just the county. Shelter rentals go through the statewide Reservations Center at 1-800-933-PARK; cancellations within 14 days of the reserved date are non-refundable.
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Chesterfield County GIS – accessible via maps.chesterfield.gov
Parcel Search: Chesterfield County Commissioner of the Revenue records
Addressing/911: Coordinated through the Chesterfield Emergency Communications Center
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Facility: Chesterfield County Animal Services – 9300 Public Works Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832 | Mailing: P.O. Box 148, Chesterfield, VA 23832 | (804) 748-1683, option 2
Hours: Monday–Friday 10:30 AM–5 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM–4 PM (adoptions by appointment only – call to schedule)
Non-emergency police line (for animal control issues after hours or general inquiries): (804) 748-1251
Services: Dog licenses handled through the Treasurer’s Office (P.O. Box 70, Chesterfield, VA 23832); kennel licenses available for agricultural-district residents with more than 3 dogs, $25 (4–20 dogs) or $35 (21–50 dogs), payable annually by January 31
Notes: The shelter accepts donations of tangible supplies via an Amazon wish list, or monetary donations by check payable to “Chesterfield County Police Foundation” with “Animal Services Donation” as the subject – a useful detail if you want to help but aren’t looking to adopt.
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Environmental Complaints: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality – deq.virginia.gov
Notes: Contact Chesterfield County Utilities or Public Works directly for current refuse collection, transfer station, and recycling program details, as specifics were not independently confirmed for this entry
NOTES
Chesterfield County, directly south of Richmond, is home to Pocahontas State Park, Virginia’s largest state park at nearly 8,000 acres and a jointly funded regional recreational asset serving the broader Richmond metro area, not just county residents. The county shares its Social Services department jointly with the neighboring City of Colonial Heights – worth knowing for benefits and family-assistance questions. All contact information above was sourced from official county pages as of this writing; phone numbers and hours should be reconfirmed directly with the relevant office before a visit.
About Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County is Virginia’s most populous county – a sprawling southwestern suburb of Richmond that has grown from 70,000 residents in 1970 to nearly 380,000 today, driven by its exceptional school system, affordable housing relative to Northern Virginia, and the quality of life along the James River and Swift Creek Reservoir corridors.
Midlothian – the county’s commercial heart along State Route 60 and the Midlothian Turnpike – is the primary retail and restaurant hub for a county that lacks an incorporated town center. The name Midlothian comes from the Midlothian Coal Mines – established in the early 18th century along Falling Creek, the first coal mines in the United States (predating the better-known Pennsylvania coal industry by more than a century). The old mine shafts and slag heaps have been incorporated into Chesterfield’s heritage trail system.
The James River forms the county’s northern border with Richmond – its falls and tidal river character providing one of the great urban nature resources in the Mid-Atlantic. The Dutch Gap Conservation Area and the James River State Park corridor protect significant riverine habitat within Chesterfield.
Chesterfield County Public Schools – consistently ranked among the best school divisions in Virginia by multiple metrics – is the primary driver of the county’s residential demand. Families relocating from Northern Virginia, Maryland, and out of state frequently cite school quality as the reason for choosing Chesterfield over other Richmond-area options.
County government is a five-member Board of Supervisors with a County Administrator.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Chesterfield County assesses real property at 100% of fair market value annually. The Chesterfield County Real Property Assessment Office (9901 Lori Road, Chesterfield, 804-748-1321) determines all property values.
Real estate tax rate: Approximately $0.86 per $100 of assessed value (confirm current year rate set by Board of Supervisors annually).
Appeal process: File with the Chesterfield County Board of Equalization – deadline approximately April 1 (confirm current year). Further appeal to Chesterfield County Circuit Court.
Senior and disabled relief: Qualifying residents based on income and net worth may receive partial or full real estate tax exemption. Apply through the Chesterfield County Commissioner of the Revenue by March 31.
No Virginia estate tax. No Virginia inheritance tax.
OWNWELL CTA: Chesterfield County appeal deadline approximately April 1. Annual assessment means values adjust each year – review notice carefully when received. Senior/disabled relief program apply by March 31. No VA estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Recommended
Chesterfield County appeal deadline approximately April 1. Annual assessment means values adjust each year - review notice carefully when received. Senior/disabled relief program apply by March 31. No VA estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Courts & Legal
Courts & Legal
The Chesterfield County Circuit Court at 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield (804-748-1241) handles all civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. The Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk at the same address maintains all court records, deeds, and land records – searchable online at chesterfield.gov.
Virginia probate: Circuit Court handles all estate administration. Virginia recognizes Transfer on Death deeds.
First coal mines estate legacy: Chesterfield County’s Midlothian coal mine sites – now largely incorporated into the Midlothian Mines Park – represent some of the earliest industrial heritage in Virginia. Properties adjacent to the mine sites may have historical easements or environmental considerations relevant to estate planning.
Richmond metro professional estate planning: Chesterfield County’s large professional and executive community – many employed in Richmond’s financial services (Capital One, Markel Corporation, Dominion Energy headquarters are nearby), healthcare (VCU Health, HCA Virginia), and government sectors – have standard suburban Virginia estate planning needs with an emphasis on the Virginia homestead exemption, the relatively low VA estate tax threshold absence, and retirement asset beneficiary designations.
Senior Services: The Chesterfield County Department of Social Services – Aging and Adult Services (804-768-7878) at 9501 Lucy Corr Blvd, Chesterfield coordinates senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation, VICAP Medicare counseling, caregiver support, Adult Protective Services, and connections to Virginia Medicaid programs.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
9500 Courthouse Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1241
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Chesterfield (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above). The historic Chesterfield County Courthouse and Courthouse Square is on the National Register of Historic Places, with clerk’s office buildings dating from 1828 and 1889.
Chesterfield County Public Library system, established 1895, 10 branches – a notable local research resource.
Local societies
No dedicated Chesterfield County genealogical society was confirmed in available directories.
Probate & Estate
Losing someone and having to deal with courts and paperwork at the same time is hard. This section won’t make that easier, but it should tell you what to expect, what it costs, and where to go – so at least you’re not walking in blind.
Where to go
Chesterfield Circuit Court 9500 Courthouse Road, 1st Floor, PO Box 125, Chesterfield, VA 23832 (804) 748-1241
Chesterfield County is one of Virginia’s most populous counties, part of the Greater Richmond Region, county seat Chesterfield Court House. Virginia has NO separate probate court – probate (“qualification”) is handled entirely by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
Step 1: figure out which path applies
Virginia calls the probate process “qualification” rather than “appointment,” and it happens administratively at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, not before a judge, unless a dispute arises.
Small Estate Affidavit (Va. Code § 64.2-601, the “Virginia Small Estate Act”) – available when the decedent’s entire personal probate estate (excluding real estate) does not exceed $75,000, at least 60 days have passed since death, and no personal representative has been appointed or has a pending application in any jurisdiction. If a will exists, it must first be admitted to probate (recorded with the Clerk) even though no executor is appointed. As of July 1, 2026, the affidavit must be filed on the statewide form (CC-1685).
Single Small Asset Release (Va. Code § 64.2-602) – any person or institution holding a single asset of $35,000 or less may release it directly to a successor once 60 days have passed since death and no personal representative has qualified, without any affidavit required at all.
Real Estate Affidavit (Form CC-1612) – if the decedent owned only real estate, this can be recorded directly in land records without full probate. Real estate generally cannot be transferred through the small estate affidavit process.
Full Qualification / Administration – the standard path for larger or more complex estates. The personal representative appears before the Clerk, takes an oath, files the will and death certificate, and typically posts a surety bond. The estate is then supervised by a Commissioner of Accounts throughout administration.
Step 2: filing for administration
The person seeking to qualify as executor or administrator brings the original will (if any) and a certified death certificate to the Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
The Clerk reviews the will’s validity and admits it to probate.
The personal representative takes an oath and qualifies, posting a bond if required; the Clerk issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
The Commissioner of Accounts oversees the estate going forward.
The personal representative notifies creditors, pays valid debts, and manages estate assets.
Remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries or heirs, and the estate is closed once final accounting is approved.
What it costs
Virginia imposes a PROBATE TAX on most wills admitted to probate and grants of administration: $1 state tax + $0.33 local tax for every $1,000 of estate value. No tax is imposed on estates valued at $15,000 or less.
Filing fees for qualification vary by estate size; confirm current Chesterfield County fees directly.
Virginia does NOT impose a state estate tax or inheritance tax – repealed for deaths on or after July 1, 2007. Only the federal estate tax may apply, and only to very large estates.
Probate filings, estate administration, and guardianship matters are handled by the following office(s):
Public Safety & Arrests
Arrest records, inmate search, and law enforcement services are handled by the following office(s):
SHERIFF
6900 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1500
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
VOTER REGISTRAR
9848 Lori Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1471
ELECTIONS
Chesterfield County Electoral Board, 9848 Lori Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1471
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Health District
Chesterfield Health District, 9501 Lucy Corr Cir, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1691
Department of Social Services
9501 Lucy Corr Cir, Chesterfield, VA 23832
(804) 748-1100
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Chesterfield Health District (Virginia Department of Health)
Services: Immunizations, WIC, environmental health, vital records
Notes: The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is a combined agency serving both Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights jointly – worth knowing since it’s not a Chesterfield-only office; it also connects residents to CommonHelp, the statewide benefits application portal, and Aging and Disability Resources for older adults and residents with disabilities
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Recommended for Virginia
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