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Virginia · Greater Richmond · #209 Most Populous County in the US
Henrico County, Virginia
Greater Richmond's largest suburban county - from the booming Short Pump retail corridor and Glen Allen's corporate campuses to the historic Varina District along the James River and the West End's established neighborhoods. Property tax, courts, public records, and senior services for Henrico 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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Henrico 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: Henrico County Emergency Management (recently renamed from Emergency Management & Workplace Safety)
Main Phone: (804) 501-4000 | Police non-emergency: (804) 501-5000 | Mental Health Emergency Services: (804) 727-8484
Notes: The county’s Emergency Operations Plan Volume 1 (updated 2025) includes a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment in Tab 9; a separate Debris Management Plan (2016) covers post-disaster cleanup procedures. During severely hot weather, the county specifically encourages residents to visit any government center, library, or recreation facility to cool down. Facilities requiring a state-licensed Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan can use county-provided templates, though Emergency Management does not formally approve or ratify these plans.
Roads & Utilities
ROADS & TRANSPORTATION
Roads: I-64, I-95, I-295, and I-195 all serve the county; GRTC Transit System provides bus service connecting to Richmond
Transit: GRTC Pulse and local bus routes serve Henrico in partnership with the City of Richmond
Business & Permits
BUILDING & PERMITS
Office: Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections – 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228 | (804) 501-4360 | Permit Center: (804) 501-7280
Services: All permitting and inspection processes moved online to the “Build Henrico” portal for permits submitted after August 30, 2021; the Permit Center serves as a “One Stop Shop” for residential permitting – new construction, renovations/additions, moving/demolition of 1-2 family dwellings, decks, porches, sheds, garages, and swimming pools
Notes: Depending on project scope, additional Department of Public Works forms may be required – drainage calculations, lot grading certification, erosion/sediment control agreements, stormwater management agreements, or a Single Family Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. Contact the Permit Center before starting any residential project – they’re designed to be your first point of contact, not a last resort.
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: Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) – created in 1963, now includes 5 Area (larger) Libraries, 4 Branch (smaller) Libraries, plus Mobile Library Services
Administration: 1700 N. Parham Rd., Henrico, VA 23229 | (804) 501-1900
Services: Free Wi-Fi and hundreds of public computers system-wide, storytimes, book clubs, teen/adult programs, computer classes, STEAM and digital media creation, 3D printing, homework and tax help, job search assistance, meeting spaces (2–100 people, reservable online), and an “Ask A Librarian” text/email/live-chat reference service
Notes: The system began in 1963 with three Area libraries (Fairfield, Lakeside, Tuckahoe) and two Branch libraries (Varina, Sandston); the name changed from Henrico County Free Library System to Henrico County Public Library in 1967. Library cards work at all branches and Mobile Library Services stops.
Parks & Recreation
PARKS & RECREATION
Key Assets: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, a 50-acre botanical garden opened in 1984 in Henrico County just outside Richmond, featuring over a dozen themed gardens (Rose, Children’s, Fountain, Asian, Victorian, Woodland, Healing, Perennial, Edible Display), a classical glass-domed Conservatory (2003), and a library; the garden offers free admission on select days, typically July 4th and Labor Day; Osborne Landing Park, a 26-acre riverfront park along the James River with a boat launch, fishing pier, playground, picnic shelters, and paved walking trails
Notes: Lewis Ginter’s workers unionized with the IAM in November 2024, forming LGBG Workers United – a recent, notable development at the garden. Confirm current admission fees and hours directly, as these are subject to change.
GIS & Maps
GIS & MAPS
GIS Portal: Henrico County GIS – accessible via henrico.gov
Parcel Search: Henrico County Real Estate Assessment records
Addressing/911: Coordinated through Henrico County Emergency Management
Animal Services
ANIMAL SERVICES
Facility: Henrico Police Animal Protection Unit & Shelter
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–4:30 PM, by appointment only
Services: Comprised of trained sworn and civilian staff; the shelter houses dogs, cats, and other companion animals including rabbits, birds, and livestock; owner-released or unclaimed animals become available for adoption; partnered with Best Friends Animal Society’s national save-the-lives network
Notes: Wildlife issues (squirrels, bats, raccoons, etc.) are generally NOT handled by county Animal Protection – most county animal services, Henrico included, no longer provide assistance with wildlife management, so a licensed private wildlife removal service is typically the correct resource for that kind of problem. The independent nonprofit Henrico Humane Society, incorporated 1991 and run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff, is a separate organization from the county shelter – confirm which one fits your specific need.
Environmental & Waste
ENVIRONMENTAL / WASTE MANAGEMENT
Environmental Complaints: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality – deq.virginia.gov
Notes: Contact Henrico County Public Works directly for current refuse collection and recycling program details, as specifics were not independently confirmed for this entry
NOTES
Henrico County is one of Virginia’s largest and most populous counties, with a correspondingly large public infrastructure – an 11-location public library system, a fully online “Build Henrico” permitting portal, and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, one of the region’s premier public gardens. Wildlife issues fall outside county Animal Protection’s scope here, as in many Virginia localities, so residents with a wildlife problem should plan on a private removal service rather than calling the county shelter. All contact information above was sourced from official county and library pages as of this writing; phone numbers and hours should be reconfirmed directly with the relevant office before a visit.
About Henrico County
Henrico County is one of Virginia’s oldest jurisdictions – established in 1634 as one of Virginia’s original eight shires – and today is the 209th most populous county in the United States, surrounding the independent City of Richmond on its north, east, and west sides.
Short Pump – an unincorporated community in western Henrico – has become one of the most significant retail destinations in Virginia. The Short Pump Town Center (an outdoor lifestyle mall) and surrounding retail corridors along West Broad Street and Route 288 make Short Pump the commercial center of the Greater Richmond metro’s western suburbs.
Glen Allen is Henrico County’s primary corporate address – Capital One Financial (one of the ten largest banks in the United States) has its corporate headquarters in McLean, VA but significant operations here; Dominion Energy and dozens of other major companies maintain headquarters or large operations along the Route 1/I-295 corridor north of Richmond.
Sandston anchors the county’s eastern communities near Richmond International Airport – a working-class residential community with industrial and logistics development tied to the airport’s cargo operations.
Varina – the county’s rural southeastern district along the James River – is one of the oldest settled areas in English North America. Henricus Historical Park (a living history museum on the site of the second successful English settlement in America, 1611) and the Dutch Gap Conservation Area preserve the area’s extraordinary colonial heritage.
The West End encompasses established mid-20th-century residential neighborhoods – Tuckahoe, Regency Square area, and the communities along Three Chopt Road – that represent Henrico’s traditional upper-middle-class residential core.
Henrico County’s unincorporated status means it has no incorporated municipalities – all communities are unincorporated areas of the county, served directly by county government rather than a layered municipal structure.
All Services
Browse every category and topic available for this county.
Henrico County assesses all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 annually. The Real Property Assessment Division mails assessment notices in early spring.
The appeal process: File an informal appeal with the Real Property Assessment Division first. If dissatisfied, appeal to the Henrico County Board of Equalization – the April 1 deadline applies. Beyond the Board, appeals go to the Henrico County Circuit Court.
Virginia has no estate tax and no inheritance tax. Assets pass subject only to federal estate tax above $13.61 million (2025).
OWNWELL CTA: Henrico County Board of Equalization: April 1. Short Pump and Glen Allen appreciation consistent with Richmond metro growth. No VA estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Recommended
Henrico County Board of Equalization: April 1. Short Pump and Glen Allen appreciation consistent with Richmond metro growth. No VA estate or inheritance tax. Ownwell manages the appeal with no upfront cost.
Courts & Legal
Courts & Legal
Circuit Court (Probate): The Henrico County Circuit Court at 4301 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228, phone 804-501-4202, handles probate, estate administration, guardianships, and all civil and criminal matters. The Clerk of the Circuit Court qualifies executors, records wills, and maintains land records.
Land Records: Searchable online through Virginia’s land records portal.
General District Court: The Henrico County General District Court handles civil claims under $25,000 and misdemeanors.
Senior Services
The Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Social Services coordinate senior services. The Henrico Senior Connections (Area Agency on Aging) at 9211 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23235, phone 804-343-3000, serves the county’s senior population with in-home services, caregiver support, nutrition programs, and transportation. Bon Secours and HCA Virginia health systems provide significant geriatric care.
Recommended
Assisted living, memory care, and independent living across Henrico County - from Short Pump and Glen Allen to the West End, Sandston, and the Varina district.
Marriage & Vital Records
Marriage licenses, divorce records, and birth & death certificates are handled by the following office(s):
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
4301 East Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228
(804) 501-4535
Genealogy
County-level record sources
Henrico Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, Henrico (probate/estate case files – see Probate section above). As one of Virginia’s original 1634 shires, Henrico County holds deep colonial-era documentary history, and its physical proximity to Richmond places it directly adjacent to the Library of Virginia’s holdings.
Local societies
No dedicated Henrico 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
Henrico Circuit Court 4301 East Parham Road, PO Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273 (804) 501-4202
Henrico County is one of Virginia’s original eight shires (1634) and surrounds much of the City of Richmond, one of Virginia’s most populous counties, county seat Henrico. 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 Henrico 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 Henrico 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
4610 East Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228
(804) 501-5860
Elections & Voting
Voter registration, polling locations, and elections information are handled by the following office(s):
VOTER REGISTRAR
4301 East Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228
(804) 501-4347
ELECTIONS
Henrico County Electoral Board, 4301 East Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228
(804) 501-4347
Health & Human Services
Offices & Contacts
Health services, social services, and assistance programs are handled by the following office(s):
Health Department
8600 Dixon Powers Dr, Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 501-4522
Department of Social Services
8600 Dixon Powers Dr, Richmond, VA 23228
(804) 501-4098
Public Health Information
PUBLIC HEALTH
Office: Henrico County Health Department (Virginia Department of Health)
Services: Immunizations, WIC, environmental health, vital records
Notes: Given the county’s large population, health services here operate at greater scale and complexity than in smaller VA localities – confirm current program details directly
Editorial independence: CountyOffices maintains strict editorial independence from our affiliate partners. Our content is researched from official government sources. Affiliate relationships do not influence our recommendations or the information we publish.
Recommended for Virginia
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