FALLS RUN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Welcome to Falls Run and to Stafford County, Virginia. Throughout this document you will find helpful information as a newcomer to Stafford County. Important information and contact numbers specific to Falls Run can be located in other documents such as the Falls Run Telephone Directory published in May 2007 and the Disclosure Documents you received when closing.

Virginia Driver’s License (apply within 60 days of moving to Virginia) You will want to make sure you are fully aware of the acceptable documents for obtaining a Driver’s License before going to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Detailed information describing acceptable documents can be reviewed on the Department of Motor Vehicles’ website http://dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/dmv141.pdf . There is a vision test, so if you wear glasses, bring them. The Department’s website homepage http://www.dmv.state.va.us contains other useful information, or you can call 1-866-368-5463 or 1-800-435-5137; TTY: 1-800-272-9268.

Vehicle safety inspection sticker To ensure your vehicle is mechanically safe to operate on the highways of Virginia, it must pass an annual vehicle safety inspection. The inspection cost is $15 and there are many places to get this done. Look for car dealerships or service stations displaying a white poster indicating they are an official inspection station.

Emissions inspection standards Your vehicle must pass an emissions inspection before registration. If you are registering your vehicle in Virginia for the first time and you have a current valid emissions certificate (performed in the last 12 months) from certain states listed on the DMV website http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/moving/newva.asp, you may not have to have the inspection at this time.

Emissions inspections in Virginia are valid for two years and may be obtained by having your vehicle inspected at a certified emissions inspection station. When you have your vehicle inspected in Virginia, the emissions station will update your vehicle record at DMV. If you would like more information about inspections or the locations of inspection stations, contact the Department of Environment Quality at 703-583-3900 or toll free in Virginia at 1-800-275-3844.

Vehicle insurance requirements Your vehicle must be insured when you register it. Virginia law requires specific insurance coverage for all registered vehicles. Discuss these requirements with your insurance company. Failure to comply with Virginia's insurance law will result in fines, suspension of driver's license, and cancellation of the registration(s) on all vehicle(s) that you own or co-own.

Title Vehicle in Virginia (apply within 30 days of moving to Virginia) To register your vehicle in Virginia and obtain license plates, you must first title your vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles website http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/titling.asp provides information regarding titling your car in Virginia.

License plates (within 30 days of moving to Virginia) After your vehicle passes a safety inspection and you have insured and titled it, register your vehicle at any Virginia DMV customer service center. As a courtesy, DMV will mail renewal reminders to you prior to the expiration date of your registration. You can renew your vehicle registration online, by touchtone telephone or by mail.

DMV will issue two license plates, two decals showing the expiration date, and a registration card. Place the decals on the plates, as instructed. Place the plates on the front and rear of your vehicle so that they are securely fastened and clearly visible.

Stafford County requirement (within 30 days of moving) Auto decals are no longer required in Stafford County as of January 9, 2007. A fee is still collected by the County even though a Stafford County decal no longer has to be placed on your vehicle’s front windshield.

Dog License

Dog tags are required for all dogs in the County. The yearly cost is $5 for a dog which has been spayed or neutered and $10 for all others. A three year tag is available. Three year tags (must have at least 2 years remaining on current rabies vaccination) are available at $15.00 for dogs which are spayed or neutered and $30.00 for unaltered dogs. The current year dog tag must be purchased by January 31 each year or when a dog at least 4 months of age is moved into Stafford County.

A current rabies vaccination receipt must be presented when purchasing a dog tag, along with a record of spay or neutering, if applicable. Dog tags may be purchased in the Treasurer’s Office or by mail. There is an application to mail that can be downloaded from the Stafford County website http://www.co.stafford.va.us/Departments/Animal_Control/Licenses.shtml

Stafford, Spotsylvania and Westmoreland counties partner with Fredericksburg to fund the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL). For more information about the CRRL, please visit their website www.librarypoint.org . Stafford residents primarily use two branches: CRRL Headquarters, 1201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, 540-372-1144; TDD for the deaf, 540-371-9165. Porter Memorial Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd. (in Park Ridge subdivision off State Route 610 in North Stafford), 540-659-4909. Hours at both libraries (subject to change): 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1–5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Voter Registration by Mail You may request an application by calling 658-4000, or pick an application up at the above named locations. You may also download the application from the Virginia State Board of Elections http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Forms_Publications/Index.html . However, voters who register by mail who have never registered to vote in Virginia before, must vote in person and present identification the first time they vote. You may be exempt from this requirement if you are a senior citizen and cannot get to a place to register. Call 658-4000 before venturing out.

Residents of Falls Run are in the Falmouth voting district and vote at Gayle Middle School, located at 100 Panther Drive. Gayle is less than a mile from the main entrance to Falls Run, across Plantation Drive.

Stafford County Government

The Stafford County government is located at the Stafford County Administration Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. The government is run by an elected Board of Supervisors consisting of 7 members, each representing a district. Four year terms are staggered every 2 years. The Board is responsible for enacting laws and setting policies and approving the budget for county services. Falls Run is in the Falmouth District. In 2005, George Schwartz was elected to represent our district on the Stafford County Board. Mr. Schwartz’s phone number is 540-273-8056 and his email address is falmouthsupervisor@hotmail.com.

Stafford County is represented in Virginia’s 28^th District in the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates.

The closest US Post Office is located at 16 Lichfield Boulevard, near Rt. 17, approximately 1 ½ miles from the main entrance to Falls Run.

Stafford County requires that backflow devices be tested annually. The test is performed on the fire sprinkler system and if you have one, the outside lawn sprinkler backflow preventer(s). You will be able to select a certified tester of your choice to perform the inspection. Approximately a month before the testing due date, you will receive a letter from Stafford County reminding you that the backflow test(s) must be done within 30 days of the letter.

The Stafford County website http://co.stafford.va.us/Residents/Index.shtml provides links to information on hospitals in the area, parks and recreation, leisure and entertainment, maps, public safety, transportation, media, the health department and many more topics you may find of interest.