French Wants Higher Property Taxes — and a Registry That Opens the Door to Costly STR Regulation

Clallam County Watchdog · Aug 18, 2026 · 46m

Short-term rentals help many Clallam County families cover rising property taxes and costs. Commissioner Mike French backed last year’s failed multi-million-dollar levy lid lift and continues pushing higher tax limits, while his own housing policy paper advocates caps on STRs. The new Comprehensive Plan language creating a countywide registry and life-safety inspections aligns directly with his agenda — and would give the County the tools to regulate private property owners more heavily.

A Lifeline for Working Families

Short-term rentals (STRs) — stays of 30 days or less, the kind listed on…