Buncombe County offices to close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Buncombe County announced Jan. 14 that county administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The closure affects a range of public services and the county is urging residents to note adjusted schedules ahead of the three-day weekend.

The county animal shelter will be closed Jan. 19, so adoptions, nonemergency intakes and public visits will not be available that day. People needing immediate help with an injured or dangerous animal should plan ahead and use emergency veterinary or animal control contacts outside the shelter’s regular public hours.

The county courthouse will follow the Judicial Branch holiday schedule. That means court calendars, filing windows and in-person hearings may be limited or postponed according to Judicial Branch procedures. Residents with scheduled court dates or filings should verify with their attorney or the clerk’s office whether appearances or deadlines are impacted.

At the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, the public front desk will be closed for the holiday while other sheriff operations will continue as scheduled. Routine in-person services at the front desk will be unavailable, but law enforcement patrols and essential sheriff functions will remain in operation; residents requiring urgent police assistance should continue to use emergency numbers.

Election Services and several other county offices will have adjusted hours or closures noted in the county’s notice. Services tied to voter registration, early voting information or election-related requests may be limited on Monday; residents planning to access those services should confirm hours before visiting.

The county’s announcement includes contact details and guidance for services that may be affected by the holiday. Residents who depend on county services for court business, animal care, public safety or election matters are advised to check with the relevant department before heading downtown or making time-sensitive plans.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed nationally as a federal holiday and many government functions pause to honor the civil rights legacy. For Buncombe County residents that means planning around temporary service interruptions and using alternative or emergency channels where available. Expect routine operations to resume Tuesday, Jan. 20, and verify any rescheduled appointments or deadlines that may be shifted because of the holiday.