Va. Code § 15.2-2409
The notice may be given by personal service on all persons entitled to such notice, except (i) notice to an infant, a mentally incapacitated person or other person under a disability may be served on his guardian, conservator or committee; (ii) notice to a nonresident may be mailed to him at his place of residence or served on any agent of his having charge of the property or on the tenant of the property; or (iii) in any case when the owner is a nonresident or when the owner's residence is not known, such notice may be given by publication three times in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality , with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the parties are cited to appear. In lieu of such personal service on the parties or their agents and of such publication, the notice to all parties may be given by publishing the sametwice in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality, with the first notice appearing no more than 28 days before and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the parties are cited to appear. Any landowner wishing to make objections to an assessment or apportionment may appear in person or by counsel and state such objections.
Va. Code § 15.2-2409