Spotsylvania County, VA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Sec. 13-2 declares it unlawful, and a Class 1 misdemeanor, for anyone to cause, harbor, commit or maintain any nuisance defined by state statute, common law, or the county code, anywhere within Spotsylvania County. Sec. 13-3 then enumerates the specific conditions the board of supervisors treats as nuisances: an act or substance kept or found in a public or private place that is injurious or dangerous to public health or safety; buildings, bridges or other structures kept in an unsafe, dangerous, unhealthy or annoying condition; trees and other parts of real property maintained the same way; ponds or pools of stagnant water and foul liquid discharged into streets or public places; obstructions on streets or sidewalks; sidewalks, gutters or curbstones left unsafe or unrepaired; stables, coops, hog or cattle pens kept offensive or injurious to the public; and structures storing explosives or combustible substances, liquids or gases in a manner that hazards health, safety or property.

Sec. 13-3(b) makes clear this list is not exclusive, and any condition that is a nuisance under state statute or common law is also a nuisance under the county code. Chapter 13, Article II sets the abatement process for these violations: the health officer investigates complaints under Sec. 13-26, can order a violator to cease and desist immediately under Sec. 13-28, or give written notice to correct a condition within no more than 10 days under Sec. 13-29, with a 2-day window to appeal to the board of supervisors before the notice takes effect.

If the property owner does not comply, the county can remedy the condition itself and bill the cost to the owner as it would county taxes, under Sec. 13-30.