Frequently Asked Questions

Our Town Residents’ Most Frequently Asked Questions

Topics

       Population of the Town of Shenandoah

       Shenandoah Town Council Meetings

       Contacting the Town Office

       After Hours Emergency Contact Information

       Automobile Decals

       Water and Sewer

       Paying a bill

       Curbside Trash Collection

       Reserving Town Facilities for Special Occasions

       Zoning Permits, Additions, and New Construction

       What to do before digging

       Local Taxes

       Telephone List

       Massanutten Regional Library (Shenandoah Branch)

       Voting

What is the Population of the Town of Shenandoah?

The population according to the 2000 census data for the Town is 1,878.  For more information, please visit http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html and enter Shenandoah, Virginia.  The 2010 census is currently being conducted.  Updated information will be forthcoming as soon as it becomes available.  The Town of Shenandoah implemented a boundary line adjustment, effective January 1, 2007, which added to our population.  No official count has been received, but the unofficial count was 2,335 with the newly incorporated areas. 

When are the Shenandoah Town Council Meetings?

The Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm.  All meetings are open to the public and are held in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall located at 426 First Street.  Check the events calendar on the Shenandoah website or contact the Town Office for upcoming meetings and any schedule changes.

How do I Contact the Town Office?

The Shenandoah Town Hall is located at 426 First Street between Virginia Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue. The telephone number is (540) 652-8164 and the Fax number is (540) 652-8194. The Town Office is open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. You may contact the Town via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Who should I contact if I have a public works emergency when the Town Office is closed?

The Town Public Works may be reached after hours by calling (540) 578-3799.  The on-call maintenance person will contact you within one (1) hour.

Automobile Decals

The Town of Shenandoah no longer issues automobile decals.  However, you will pay a vehicle license fee on your personal property tax bill for the first half of the year.  The vehicle license fee is based on the vehicles registered through the Division of Motor Vehicles as of January 1^st each year.  The cost is as follows:  $20.00 per vehicle or trailer and $10.00 per motorcycle.

Water and Sewer

When are water/sewer/refuse bills sent and when are they due?

Water/Sewer/Refuse bills are mailed on or about the 15^th of each month. 

Water/Sewer/Refuse bills are due on or before the 3^rd of the following month.

A penalty of 10% will be added to your balance if payment is not received by the 3^rd and a late notice will be mailed. If you do not receive your bill, contact the Town Office. 

How and Where can I pay my bill?

Bills may be paid in person at the Town Office. Payments may be mailed to the Town of Shenandoah, 426 First Street, Shenandoah, VA 22849 or left in the drop box located on the wall to the left of the front door of Town Hall.  Currently, we do not accept debit or credit cards.   When paying by check or money order, please make payable to the Town of Shenandoah.  There is a $35.00 charge for returned checks.  If your returned check is for a delinquent bill, service will discontinued until all fees are paid.

What are the refuse, water and sewer rates?

A minimum water/sewer/refuse bill for residential customers inside the Town limits is $38.30 for up to 3,000 gallons of water.

A minimum water/sewer/refuse bill for commercial customers inside the Town limits is $47.30 for up to 3,000 gallons of water.

Please contact the Town Hall for rates outside the Town limits.

As a new resident, how do I connect to water and sewer service?

To establish water service in a new name for an existing water and sewer connection, please contact the Town Office.  Town Hall will set up a Water & Sewer Account and turn on the water service after a deposit in the amount of $100.00 is paid for rental property.  There is no deposit required for the owner of the property to establish service.  However, proof of ownership (i.e. deed or closing documents) and a photo ID are required.  Setting up accounts must be done in person and a photo ID must be presented to a Town official.  Deposit payments are accepted in the form of cash, check or money order.  Currently, we do not accept debit or credit cards.   When paying by check or money order, please make payable to the Town of Shenandoah.  There is a $35.00 charge for returned checks.

What are the fees that must be paid for a new water and sewer connection?

For new construction, there is a $4,000 water connection fee and a $5,000 sewer connection fee for property within the Town limits.

For new construction, there is a $7,000 water connection fee and a $8,000 sewer connection fee for property outside the Town limits.

For connection applications or more information contact the Town Office at (540) 652-8164.

Curbside Trash Collection

Who picks up my garbage?

The Town contracts with Waste Movers to provide trash collection to Town residents on a weekly basis.

What does this cost?

There is a monthly charge of $9 residential and $18 commercial that is added to the water & sewer bill.

When is trash collected?

Trash is collected on Wednesday of each week.

Trash should be placed in proper containers and be no heavier than one person can easily lift. Trash should be placed at the street for pick-up no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of scheduled collection.

Reserving Town Facilities for Special Occasions

How do I reserve a shelter at one of the Town parks?

Shelters for Wig-Wam Villlage Playground are reserved by completing an application at Town Hall.  They are reserved on a first come – first served basis.  You can obtain more information about reserving the shelters by calling (540) 652-8164.

The Gazebo at Big Gem Park is reserved by completing an application at Town Hall.  It is reserved on a first come – first served basis.  You can obtain more information about reserving the gazebo by calling (540) 652-8164.

What is the fee for reserving a shelter at a Town park?

Wig-Wam Village Playground:

Wig-Wam Village Playground offers 2 picnic shelters.  The shelters have a permanent grill available for use.  One or both shelters may be reserved for $25 a day and reservations may be made anytime of the year by completing a form at Town Hall. 

Please call (540) 652-8164 for more details.

Big Gem Park:

Big Gem Park offers one (1) gazebo, which may be reserved.  There are also several free standing picnic tables available.  A permanent grill is available for use.  There are no fees to reserve the gazebo and reservations may be made anytime of the year by completing a form at Town Hall.   

Please call (540) 652-8164 for more details.

Does the Town have any indoor facilities available to rent for special occasions?

The Shenandoah Town Hall may be reserved by local organizations for various events for the evening.  You can obtain more information about reserving the Town Hall by calling (540) 652-8164.

For more detailed information about the facilities available in the Town of Shenandoah, please visit or call Town Hall.

Zoning Permits, Additions, and New Construction

I am planning an addition or new construction, what does the Town require?

For any planned new construction or addition, you must apply for a Zoning Permit with the Zoning Administrator. After the Town of Shenandoah approves a Zoning Permit you must obtain a building permit from Page County.  To obtain a Zoning Permit Application, please call Town Hall at (540)-652-8164. 

Who do I contact before I dig?

Please call MISS Utility of Virginia at 1-800-552-7001 or 811 before you dig or excavate.  This will prevent accidents, and vital and costly utilities from being damaged as a result of not knowing where utility lines are located.  It is a state law to call before you dig!   

Local Taxes

Automobile Decals

The Town of Shenandoah no longer issues automobile decals.  However, you will pay a vehicle license fee on your personal property tax bill for the first half of the year.  The vehicle license fee is based on the vehicles registered through the Division of Motor Vehicles as of January 1^st each year.  The cost is as follows:  $20.00 per vehicle or trailer and $10.00 per motorcycle.

Tax Rates are as follows:

Personal Property Taxes

Personal Property tax is paid to the Town of Shenandoah and is due by June 5 and December 5 of each year.  Every motor vehicle that is regularly garaged, stored or parked in the Town of Shenandoah is subject to this tax.  Personal Property taxes are based on vehicles registered in the Town on January 1 of the tax year.  The tax rate is $.40 per $100.00 of the assessed value.  Assessments are determined by Page County.  Late Personal Property payments are subject to penalty and interest.    

Residents located in towns within Page County are assessed a town tax in ADDITION to Page County Personal Property taxes. 

Real Estate Taxes

Real Estate tax is paid to the Town of Shenandoah and is due by June 5 and December 5 of each year.  The tax rate is $.25 per $100.00 of the assessed value.  Assessments are determined by Page County.  Late Real Estate payments are subject to penalty and interest.   

Residents located in towns within Page County are assessed a town tax in ADDITION to Page County Real Estate taxes. 

Why must I pay taxes to both the County and Town?

Towns and counties provide different services. The majority of Town tax money goes towards funding water, sewer, police, and refuse services.  It also includes some street maintenance and street lights.  The majority of County tax money goes towards funding the school system. The County also provides some rescue services, the court system, landfill, dispatching services, health and welfare benefits, and many other services enjoyed by Town citizens. So you are not paying double taxes, you are just buying services from two separate providers.

Telephone List

All phone numbers are (540) unless otherwise noted.

Massanutten Regional Library (Shenandoah Branch)

Where is the Shenandoah Library located?

The Library is located at 418 South Third Street, Shenandoah, VA  22849

What are the Library’s Hours?

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Tues. 10 a.m. to 4p.m. and evening hours from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website: http://www.mrlib.org
Phone Number: (540) 652-BOOK (2665)

Voting

How do I register to vote?

You can register to vote one of two ways:

       By Mail: Applications can be obtained by calling the Registrar's Office at (540) 743-3986

       In Person: At the Registrar's Office or Division of Motor Vehicles Office, Luray or Harrisonburg or Social Services agencies.

Registration Application

Each person registering to vote shall provide the following information on the application:

       Full name, including a maiden name or any other prior legal name

       Age

       Gender

       Date of Birth

       Social Security Number

       Whether you are presently a United States citizen

       Address and place of abode

       Place of any previous registrations to vote

       Whether you have ever been judged to be mentally incompetent or convicted of a felony, and if so, under what circumstances your right to vote has been restored.

What are the deadlines for voter registration?

Voter registration is open from 9 a.m. to 5 pm Monday through Friday.  Additional hours prior to elections – call office to check.

       Twenty-one (21) days prior to a primary or general election

       Seven days (7) prior to a special election called by the Governor

       Speaker of the House of Delegates, or President pro tempore of the Senate, or pursuant to rule or resolution of either house of the General Assembly

       Fourteen days (14) prior to any other special election

How can I contact the Registrar?

Carol Gaunt, Registrar
117 South Court Street
Luray, VA 22835
(540) 743-3986 or 843-0434

(540) 743-1988-fax

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  (additional hours prior to elections)

What are my Voting Districts and where is my polling place?

Shenandoah is in the:

       Virginia Senate 26th district

       Virginia House 15th district

       U.S. Congress 7th district

The polling place for our Town is the Shenandoah VFW open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm on election days.   Check the website for additional information at:  www.sbe.virginia.gov

The information contained on this page is for general purposes only and may not contain the most current information. For answers to more specific questions or concerns, or to receive the latest information possible, please contact the Town office at 540-652-8164.