Search Campbell County Property Tax Records
Campbell County property tax records are maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer, both located in Rustburg, the county seat. The county surrounds the independent city of Lynchburg in central Virginia, and its property tax records cover all real estate within the county's boundaries. Anyone can access these records to find assessment values, ownership information, and tax status for parcels throughout Campbell County. Each parcel file includes the owner name, parcel ID number, land and improvement values, and a record of tax payments. Assessment data is a public record in Virginia, so buyers, lenders, and researchers can look up any parcel in Campbell County without needing permission or a specific reason.
Campbell County Overview
Commissioner of the Revenue
The Campbell County Commissioner of the Revenue assesses all real property in the county at fair market value as required by Virginia Code § 58.1-3200. This office keeps detailed records for every parcel: owner name, parcel identification number, legal description, land value, improvement value, and total assessed value. These records are updated regularly to reflect sales, new construction, and other changes that affect a property's value.
The Commissioner also administers personal property assessments for vehicles, business equipment, and other taxable personal property. For real estate specifically, the office works in close coordination with the Circuit Court clerk, since recorded deeds trigger updates to assessment files. When you buy property in Campbell County, the clerk's recordation of your deed puts the Commissioner on notice to update ownership records. This keeps the tax rolls current and ensures bills go to the right address.
Campbell County sits in a competitive real estate market influenced by its proximity to Lynchburg. The Commissioner's office uses local sales data to keep assessed values in line with the market. If you think your assessed value is too high relative to recent comparable sales, visiting the Commissioner's office to review the assessment is a logical first step before filing a formal appeal.
Under § 58.1-3330, the county must send written notice to property owners when a reassessment raises their value above a certain threshold. That notice will explain how to contest the new value. The Commissioner's office can walk you through the process and help you understand what data was used in setting your assessment.
Campbell County Treasurer
The Campbell County Treasurer collects all locally assessed taxes, including real estate and personal property taxes. The office uses assessment data from the Commissioner to generate bills and process payments. Real estate taxes in Virginia are generally due in two installments per year, and Campbell County follows this common schedule. You can confirm current due dates on the county's website at co.campbell.va.us.
The Treasurer maintains payment records for every parcel in the county. These records show whether taxes are current or delinquent. Delinquent real estate taxes are a lien on the property under Virginia law. That means if taxes go unpaid, the lien follows the property even through a sale. Title searches conducted before any real estate closing will check the Treasurer's records to confirm no outstanding balances exist. The Treasurer can issue a certificate confirming current tax status, which is often needed as part of a closing process.
If you have a question about the amount on your tax bill, the Treasurer's office will direct you back to the Commissioner of the Revenue, since only the Commissioner can authorize an assessment change. But for questions about payment history, receipts, or delinquency status, the Treasurer is the right office to contact. Some payment options, such as online payment, may be available through the county's website.
The following image from the Virginia Department of Taxation provides background on how local tax collection works across Virginia.
The state's overview at tax.virginia.gov covers the legal framework that all Virginia localities, including Campbell County, must follow.
How to Search Property Records
Start your search at the Campbell County official website, co.campbell.va.us. Look for links to any online property assessment or GIS portal. Many Virginia counties contract with software vendors to offer public-facing property search tools. If Campbell County has such a tool, you can search by owner name, address, or parcel number and view assessed values, land and improvement breakdowns, and property characteristics.
If no online portal is currently active or if you need more complete records, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue directly. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3331, assessment records must be open for public inspection at the county's offices. You do not need to state a reason. Staff can assist during regular business hours at the courthouse in Rustburg. Copies are available for a small fee. For in-depth research, such as reviewing assessment history over multiple reassessment cycles, an in-person visit is often the most thorough approach.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office in Rustburg holds recorded deeds, which complement assessment records by showing ownership history and legal descriptions. Together, Commissioner records and Circuit Court deed records give a fairly complete picture of a property's history. The clerk's office can be reached through the county website.
The Assessment Process
Virginia requires that all real property be assessed at 100 percent of fair market value under § 58.1-3200. Fair market value is the price a property would bring in a competitive, open-market sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller. The Commissioner of the Revenue uses comparable sales data, property inspections, and information about the property's physical characteristics to estimate this value for every parcel in the county.
General reassessments are required by Virginia law on a regular cycle. Counties must reassess at least every six years, though many choose to do so more frequently to keep pace with market changes. Between general reassessments, the Commissioner's office updates values for properties that have sold, changed structurally, or been subdivided. When a property sells at a price significantly different from its assessed value, that sale is recorded and may influence the assessed values of nearby comparable properties.
Property owners who disagree with their assessment have the right to appeal. The first step is talking to the Commissioner's office. If that does not resolve the disagreement, you can appeal to the Board of Equalization under § 58.1-3378. Under § 58.1-3379, the Board must hold a hearing and consider your evidence. A recent independent appraisal or a list of comparable sales showing lower values for similar properties is the strongest type of evidence to bring to a Board hearing.
The image below is from the Virginia Code section governing real property assessment standards.
This section of Virginia law, available at law.lis.virginia.gov, establishes the 100 percent fair market value standard that Campbell County must follow.
Tax Relief Programs
Campbell County offers tax relief to qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners under Virginia Code § 58.1-3210. Qualifying residents who own and occupy their home as a primary residence may receive a reduction or full exemption from real estate taxes. Income and age thresholds are set by the county and may change from year to year. The Commissioner of the Revenue's office administers applications for this program. If you think you might qualify, call the office or visit in person to get the current eligibility criteria and the application form.
Veterans with a 100 percent total and permanent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs may be fully exempt from real estate taxes under § 58.1-3219.5. The surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran may also be eligible, subject to certain conditions under state law. To apply, bring your VA disability rating letter and proof of property ownership and residency to the Commissioner of the Revenue's office.
Beyond local programs, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development at dhcd.virginia.gov runs programs aimed at helping low-income homeowners manage housing costs, including property tax obligations. These state programs can supplement local tax relief for residents who qualify. Check the DHCD website for current program availability and eligibility rules.
Land Books and Public Records
Virginia's land book requirement under § 58.1-3301 means every county must keep a comprehensive record listing each parcel of real property, its owner, and its assessed value. Campbell County's land book is maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue. It is a public record, open for inspection without charge, though copying fees may apply. The land book is one of the core public records of local government, and it has been required in some form since the early days of Virginia's property tax system.
Researchers and title examiners often use land books alongside Circuit Court deed records to trace property ownership over time. Because land books reflect the assessed value as of each tax year, they can show how a property's value has changed through multiple reassessment cycles. They can also reveal when a parcel's ownership changed, which can help confirm deed research or identify gaps in a chain of title. Older land books for Campbell County may be held at the county courthouse or archived with the Library of Virginia.
Under § 58.1-3331, all assessment records and land books must be available for public inspection. This right applies to everyone, not just residents or people with a direct interest in a particular parcel. Visit the Commissioner's office in Rustburg to access these records in person, or submit a written FOIA request for records in a specific format.
Cities in Campbell County
Campbell County surrounds the independent city of Lynchburg, which has its own separate property tax assessment and collection system. Property located within Lynchburg's city limits is not part of Campbell County's tax rolls.
Nearby Counties
Campbell County borders several counties in central Virginia. If a property is near a county line, checking adjacent county records may be useful.