Fauquier County, VA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Who investigates complaints
- County health officer, Sec. 14-6
- Who can file a complaint
- Any responsible person
- Notice-to-remedy period
- Up to 10 days
- Appeal body
- Board of supervisors
- Cost recovery method
- Collected like unpaid county taxes
Summary
Fauquier County's health officer investigates nuisance conditions on complaint from any responsible person, and after finding a nuisance must give the property owner written notice to fix it within no more than ten days, subject to a board of supervisors appeal.
It shall be the duty of the health officer to cause inspections to be made from time to time of all portions of the county to determine whether any condition exists or activity is being practiced which constitutes a nuisance; and such officer shall cause an investigation to be made upon complaint made by any responsible person. ... If at any time the health officer shall find that a ... condition which constitutes a nuisance exists within the county he shall give notice in writing to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the premises upon which such condition exists, stating therein the condition which constitutes a nuisance, and directing such addressee to remedy the condition within the time stated in such notice, which shall be not more than ten (10) days.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 14-6 makes it the duty of the health officer to conduct periodic inspections of the county for nuisance conditions and to investigate whenever a responsible person files a complaint, giving residents a direct route to report suspected violations under Chapter 14. Once a complaint or inspection turns up a nuisance, Sec. 14-7 authorizes the health officer and assistants to enter private premises to confirm it, generally after reasonable advance notice to the occupant unless advance warning would defeat the purpose of the inspection. If the health officer finds an activity constituting a nuisance is occurring, Sec.
14-8 requires prompt notice to the violator to cease and desist by the most expeditious means available. Where the finding is a condition rather than an ongoing activity, Sec. 14-9 requires written notice to the owner, occupant or person in charge stating the nuisance and directing that it be remedied within a stated time not exceeding ten days, with the recipient able to appeal to the board of supervisors, whose decision is final, except where the health officer finds an imminent hazard to health, safety or welfare, in which case the notice must be obeyed despite a pending appeal.
If the notice is ignored, Sec. 14-10 lets the health officer direct county officers to remedy the condition, with the expense charged to the violator and collected like county taxes; abatement does not bar separate prosecution for maintaining the nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Failing to comply with a health officer's written notice to cease and desist under Sec. 14-8, or to remedy a condition within the time set by a notice under Sec. 14-9, is unlawful. The underlying nuisance is punishable under Sec. 14-2 as provided in Sec. 1-7, and the county may abate the condition itself and bill the responsible party under Sec. 14-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a suspected nuisance in unincorporated Fauquier County?
What happens after the health officer confirms a nuisance?
Can I appeal a notice to abate a nuisance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fauquier County
Compare Fauquier County to another location·View the Virginia code violation reporting overview
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