Holmes County Extends 2026 Dog License Deadline to February 28

Holmes County officials have pushed the 2026 dog-license deadline back to Feb. 28 after a recent software change apparently prevented some renewal notices from being mailed. The Holmes County Commissioners adopted a resolution at their Jan. 29 business meeting, acting in coordination with the Holmes County Dog Warden’s Department and the Holmes County Auditor’s Office, to allow owners an extra month to renew or purchase licenses without incurring the usual late penalty.

Dog Warden Jonathan Beam identified the mailing problem after the county switched its dog-license software for the 2026 season. “Although renewal applications are not required to be mailed out, we understand that these sometimes serve as reminders for citizens to renew their dog licenses,” Beam said. “The county has decided to give dog owners an extra month to renew dog licenses without the penalty.” County officials have said the issue should be resolved for the 2027 license season.

Under Ohio law, dogs older than three months must be licensed annually; the standard licensing period for 2026 ran from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31. Normally purchases or renewals after Jan. 31 are subject to a late penalty. For 2026, regular dog-license fees increased to $19; after Jan. 31 the regular fee doubles to $38. Kennel licenses rose by $10 to $95, include five tags, and additional tags cost $1 each. Kennel licenses and three-year or lifetime licenses must be purchased at the Holmes County Auditor’s Office in Millersburg or at the Dog Warden’s Department.

Residents may buy or renew licenses in person at the Holmes County Auditor’s Office or the Dog Warden’s Department and Adoption Center in Millersburg, at listed satellite retailers, by mail using the provided application envelope, or online through the county dog-licensing portal. Satellite vendors selling 2026 licenses include Becks Mills General Store, Harvey’s Market, Farmerstown General Store, Killbuck Valley Market, Buckeye Deli, Mt. Hope Hardware, Orme Hardware of Berlin, E & H Hardware, Wolfcreek Veterinary Clinic, Keim Lumber, Whitmer’s Store, and East Holmes Vet Clinic. The Dog Warden’s Department and Adoption Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Online purchases require a past license number to renew, add items to a shopping cart and complete checkout, and are subject to a per-item convenience fee; acceptable credit cards include American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa. Tags ordered online are mailed and may take up to 10 business days for processing and delivery. Licenses are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The extension was announced on the county licensing portal and shared via social media. It remains unclear in published material whether any late fees already assessed between Feb. 1 and the resolution date will be refunded; county meeting minutes or the full text of the Jan. 29 resolution should clarify administrative steps. For now, Holmes County dog owners have until Feb. 28 to renew or buy 2026 licenses without penalty.