Ohio State Law requires any dog over the age of three (3) months to have a license within 30 days of ownership. Any license purchased after 30 days of ownership, or renewed after the annual renewal period between December 1 through January 31 must include a penalty equal to the cost of the license. Your dog's license may be purchased at the Auditor's Office Monday through Friday between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Dog licenses may also be purchased at the Wayne County Dog Shelter. Information for the shelter is located at the bottom of this page.

ALERT: Auditor Underwood urges dog owners to be cautious when purchasing dog licenses on line. No outside vendors legally sell dog licenses in Wayne County. We have had reports of an online vendor fraudulently selling licenses to unsuspecting dog owners. Click here for a statement regarding this scam.

$8.00 for a puppy turning 3 months old after July 1st
$16.00 Per Adult Dog for an annual license
$48.00 Per Adult Dog for a 3 year license
$160.00 Per Adult Dog for a permanent license
$80.00 for a Kennel License
A duplicate license for a current lost license is only $5.00.
To transfer a current license to a new owner is only $5.00.

Ohio law requires a late fee equal to the cost of the license. There is no provision in the law to waive the fee. If you renew your dog's license after the January 31 due date the cost will be as follows:
$32.00 Per Adult Dog
$160.00 for a Kennel License

Ohio law requires licenses be renewed each year between December 1 and January 31. 2021 Dog Licenses will go on sale December 1, 2020. Applications will be mailed the last week of November. 2021 Dog License Satellite Offices (Click to download)

If you move to Wayne County from another county within Ohio we will honor the license until it is expired. However, if you move here from another state you are required to purchase a license immediately upon arrival. If you wait more than 30 days, we are required to charge a penalty equal to the license fee.

Fillable Dog License Application. Dog License Application (Click to download)

Ohio law specifies that all dogs must be confined to your property or under reasonable control - such as on a leash when being walked. It is not safe (and not legal) to allow your dog to roam the neighborhood.

Regulation #121, section 2.1 under the Wayne County General Health District states "After January 1, 1989, in the Wayne County Combined General Health District, every dog six months of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies. Every unvaccinated dog six months of age or older which is newly acquired or newly residing in the Wayne County Combined General Health District shall be vaccinated against rabies within thirty days after purchase or arrival." .

The laws governing dog licensing in the State of Ohio may be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01, 955.05, and 955.26.

Please use common courtesy when walking your dog and clean up after your dog if he makes a mess on someone's property.

Please be aware of the City Ordinances pertaining to dangerous and vicious animals, as recorded in Orrville, Rittman, and Wooster City.

• Wooster
• Orrville
• Rittman
  
  

If you have questions regarding the information on this page please call the Wayne County Auditor's Office at 330.287.5444.