Amherst County, Virginia

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County CodeReal Estate & MappingAbout the CourtAuditsRFP's & BidsAccepted ProffersBuilding PermitsAgriculture & Natural ResourcesEstablishing ServiceCounty LandfillAdopting a PetRecreation ProgramsSheriff AyersAnimal EnforcementCommand Staff

 

All real estate is subject to taxation, except when specifically exempted by the Virginia Constitution. Property is assessed as of January 1. Tax bills are due June 5 and December 5. The Code of Virginia Section 58.1-3252 authorizes a county with a population of 50,000 or less to elect by a majority vote of its Board of Supervisors to conduct a general reassessment of real estate at either five or six-year intervals. Between reassessments, the Commissioner is responsible for assessing any new construction or additions. If you would like more information concerning reassessments, please see the following document, " General Reassessment of Real Estate."  If there is a change of billing address or any other change pertaining to your taxes, please notify the Commissioner of the Revenue at (434) 946-9310.
 

Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly & Handicapped

 

If you are 65 years years old or older on January 1 of the tax year or 100% disabled, earn less than $50,000 in income from all sources, and have less than $150,000 in net worth, you may be entitled to an exemption on your Real Estate Tax or Mobile Home Tax.  Applications for relief from Real Estate Tax or Mobile Home Tax must be filed annually between January 15 and March 31.  Applications are available and must be filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue.  For an application or if you have any questions, please call (434) 946-9310.

 Land Use Program for Tax Relief
A land use assessment ordinance is in effect to encourage the continuance of agricultural, horticultural, forest, and open space land uses in the county. This is a special program under which applicants with eligible land will have their land valued for tax purposes according to its use value rather than its fair market value. The minimum parcel size for agriculture or horticulture use is 5 acres, and land must be devoted to actual production. The minimum parcel size for forest use is 20 acres. The owner has to complete and sign an agreement to maintain and protect forest land by following a planned program of timber management and soil conservation practices. The open space land includes only land which has been dedicated for public use, such as parks, golf courses, and game preserves. Idle, vacant land does not qualify under any category. Sign-up is from Sept. 1st through Nov. 1st in the Commissioner's Office. Applicants must pay a minimum filing fee of $10 for 100 acres or less and .10 cents per acre over 100 acres that qualify. Taxes must not be delinquent to qualify. When land qualified for assessment and taxation according to use has been converted to a non-qualifying use or rezoned to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent, that land is subject to the roll-back tax. In the event of a change in use, acreage, or zoning, the property owner MUST report the change to the Commissioner's Office within 60 days of said change.
 
Tax Maps
 
Tax maps are available for viewing in the Real Estate & Mapping Division of the Commissioner's Office.
 
 

Financial Report Notice - Audit Update - 1/6/2025

  • In accordance with the requirements ot the Code of Virginia §15.2-2511, if a locality's audit is not complete as required by this statute, the locality must promptly post a statement on the website, if such website exists, with the following info:
    • The County of Amherst's required audit is pending, and updates will be provided monthly. 
    • The reasons for the delay are due to the implementation of a new financial system and turnover in multiple key positions in the County.

The County's financial condition is reported in the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), prepared by an outside auditing firm. Their findings are published annually and must be submitted to the Auditor of Public Accounts for the State of Virginia. This document provides a complete overview of all revenues and expenditures of the County.

The RFP's & Bids division of purchasing is responsible for developing the request for purchase and bid information to be disseminated to vendors and contractors interested in working with the County of Amherst.
 
Request for Proposals & Invitation for Bids will be properly advertised through newspapers of local circulation, posting in public facilities, direct solicitation and/or posting on the Purchasing Department website.
 

Proffers are agreements between developers and local government mitigating impact of developments on government resources.  For a complete list of proffers that have been accepted by the County, please visit the Amherst County Planning/Zoning Office. 
Case Number: Address: Tax Map Number: Date:
2017-20 123 Phelps Road
155D-A-44
 01-16-18
2014-10 186 Dillard Road
147-A-212A
 10-21-14
2012-08 Off Crescent Lane
137-A-157
 07-17-12
2010-12&13 See Tax Map
160A2-5-B, 38A, 39A,
40B, 41A, 42A
 06-15-10
Corner of Lowesville & Indian Creek Rd. 29-A-37 3-16-10
2009-20 1036 South Coolwell Road 138-1-6 11-17-09
2009-18 929 Old Wright Shop Road 161-A-9 10-20-09
2009-08 360 Old Wright Shop Road 156B-2-1,3B 05-19-09
2007-53 5147 S. Amherst Highway 160A2-3-A 01-15-08
2007-44 931 Wright Shop Road 161-A-26 11-20-07
2007-29 181 Main Street 160A2-4-2,2A,3,4,6,6A 08-21-07
2007-28 153 Ragland Road
162-A-29,30,31,32 &
161A-5-1,2,3,4
 07-17-07
2007-24 See Tax Map Number 148-A-32 06-19-07
2007-04 120 Dillard Road 147-A-212 04-17-07
2005-07 Off Woody's Lake Road 156-A-120 06-21-05
2004-05 1900 Lowesville Road 39-A-51 04-20-04
2004-04 1130 River Road 154-A-27,29 04-20-04
Not all work requires a building permit. Some projects not requiring a permit are:
  • Drywall repair and painting
  • Residential reroofing
  • Residential exterior siding
  • Tents that cover 900 square feet or less and have an occupant load of less than 50 persons
  • Fences
  • Floor coverings and porch/deck flooring; and/or
  • One-story detached residential accessory structures under 256 square feet (including detached prefabricated structures under 256 square feet).*
  • Swimming pools with less than 150 square feet of surface water, and less than 5000 gallons capacity, and less than 24 inches of water depth*

       * Zoning permit still required. 

 
For a complete list of projects that are exempt from permits, see the 2018 Virginia Construction Code.
Whether you're a farmer who has crops and livestock or a homeowner caring for a lawn and/or a vegetable garden, Extension has information for you. Our soil testing service will help you to select the proper nutrients and quantities to provide for your growing crops in the field or at home. We can identify weed, disease and insect problems and provide an accurate control recommendation. Assistance is available through individual contact, group meetings, telephone contact, videos and publications.
 
 
Agriculture and Forestry Demographics:
 

Number of Farms

424

Average Farm Size

209 acres

Land in Farms

88,430 acres

Percent of Land in Farmland

29%

Average Value of Land and Buildings

$638,897 per farm

Average Production Expenditure per Farm

$22,344

 

 

Cash Receipts of Crops

$1.36 million

Cash Receipts of Livestock

$6.29 million

Total Cash Farm Receipts

$7.65 million

 

 

Cattle and Calves

15,754 head

Horses and Ponies

1500 head

Apples and Peaches

253 acres

Grapes

51 acres

 

 

Annual Expenditures for Equine

$5.46 million

Total Value of Equine

$11.67 million

 

 

Value of Standing Timber Sales

$3.53 million

Forest Land Acreage

221,538

 

 

Land in Conservation Easement

4,735 acres

Public Land in Conservation Easement

 

Sources:

·         2007 NASS Census of Agriculture

·         2006 Virginia Equine Survey Report

·         2008 Virginia Department of Forestry

·         Virginia Outdoors Foundation
 
 

Economic Impact of Agriculture and Forestry

 

 

Employment

Output/Sales($=2006)

Direct

1,156

$243,421,672

Indirect

252

$25,234,621

Induced

172

$15,038,644

Total

1,580

$283,694.937

        Source: University of Virginia - Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

 

 

 

      According to "Cost of Community Services" studies conducted over 15 years show agriculture and forestry lands generate more public revenue than they receive back in public services.

 

The summary of "Cost of Community Services" studies for 95 US communities indicates the median cost -- per dollar of revenue raised -- to provide public services to different land uses:

Commercial/Industrial

Agriculture/Forestry

Residential

$0.27

$0.36

$1.16

        Source: American Farmland Trust / Farmland Information Center

 

Statements:

Agriculture and forestry is one of Amherst County's largest industries.

Nearly all of Amherst's farms are family owned and operated.

Every $1 landowners receive for timber generates $41.82 of value-added to Virginia's economy.

 

Madison Heights TankTo establish water service as a new customer or an existing customer, please call us at (434)845-1605.

The Amherst County Landfill is now accepting Household Hazardous Waste. Accepted items include (but are not limited to):
  • Paint/Paint cans
  • Used motor oil
  • Light bulbs
  • Batteries
  • Pesticides
  • Computers
  • For a complete list of accepted items, please contact Public Works.

The Solid Waste Division (SWD) operates the only municipal landfill in Amherst County.  The landfill is open to residents of Amherst County, as well as, commercial customers for disposal of garbage.  The landfill only accepts municipal solid waste and non-hazardous industrial waste generated in Amherst County.

The County Landfill is located at 715 Kentmoor Farm Road. 

The Landfill is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

and Saturdays from 8:00 am -12:00 pm.

All Public Works Locations are closed New Years Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. 

All Public Works locations close at 2:00 pm on Wednesdays before Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve. 

The 275-acre landfill (of which 38 acres is current permit disposal area) is located on State Route 613 (Kentmoor Farm Road), approximately seven miles northeast of Madison Heights.  Owned by Amherst County and operated by the SWD, the landfill receives over 30,000 tons of solid waste a year.  Contact the landfill if you or your group or organization wishes to arrange for a tour (434) 846 - 3324.

 
Animals available for adoption can be found on PetFinder.com.
The Amherst County Animal Care Center has dogs, cats, and occasionally other animals available for adoption. Adoptions are made available through the Adoption Center, which is operated by the Amherst County Humane Society. Adoption viewing will be public at scheduled times. If you arrive before the designated viewing hours, you may wait until the scheduled hours or return at the appropriate times.
 
Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats adopted from the Adoption Center be spayed or neutered as part of the adoption process. The adoption fee includes the spaying and neutering surgery fee.
 
The Animal Care Center staff will be available to provide information about the animals and to answer questions. Adopting an animal represents a commitment to care for the animal for many years. Adopters are encouraged to spend as much time with the chosen animal to ensure it matches their home and lifestyle best.
 
Remember that even though we take the best possible care of animals at our Care Center, we do not always know their prior medical history or vaccination status. We perform basic health checkups but do not have veterinarians on staff.
 

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Sheriff Ayers was elected is November 2023 and began his term in 2024. He can be reached at

ljayers@amherstsheriff.org   

Animal Control Officers fall under the Sheriff's Office and enforce Virginia State laws, Amherst County, and Amherst Town ordinances that pertain to animals. In addition, Animal Control Officers are responsible for providing emergency services to the entire county and its towns 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 
Reporting an Incident: To report an animal incident, such as an animal bite, a dog running loose, an animal in distress, or a possible case of animal cruelty or neglect, please call Amherst County Dispatch at 434-946-9300.
 
Emergency Response Hours: Outside of regular business hours, an Animal Care and Control Officer is designated "On-Call" and will only respond to health and safety-related emergencies. Citizens may request assistance from the Animal Care and Control Officers by calling the Amherst County Dispatcher at 434-946-9300.
 
Services:
  1. Enforcement of state, county, and town laws dealing with domestic animals.
  2. Investigation of animal attacks on humans, domestic animals, dangerous and vicious animals, reports of severe animal cruelty, dogs attacking livestock, and possible rabid animals, or possible human or animal exposure to wildlife when rabies is a concern.
  3. Investigations of animal cruelty.
  4. Removal of stray dogs from streets and public areas.
  5. Pick up stray animals from residences and businesses.
  6. Regulations and inspections of private and commercial kennels.
  7. Dog license enforcement.
  8. Rabies vaccination enforcement for dogs and cats.

 Bradley Beam

Chief

 

Jarred Scott

Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal

 

Ben Bond

Division Chief - EMS/Operations

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