Assessor

The Assessor's Department is responsible for the local administration of our state property tax system. The Assessor's duties fall within the framework of Washington State Law. Any changes to the current assessment and property tax calculation procedure must be initiated by our voters or state legislators.

Responsibilities

The department's primary responsibility is to appraise all taxable real and personal property within Clallam County as accurately and fairly as the law allows. We are constantly looking for ways to improve the way we do our job.

Assessments

The assessment process plays an important role in local government. Equitable assessments assure property owners that they are paying their fair share of the costs of operating schools and libraries, providing police and fire protection, road construction and maintenance, water, sanitation, and other basic public services. The Assessor does not establish the dollar amount of taxes... the values determined by the Assessor are estimates of market value... they are not taxes. Other agencies of state and local government carry on this function.

Maps & Transactions

The Assessor's office is not limited to setting property values alone. In addition to the over forty-eight thousand appraisal reports maintained on properties, a detailed series of maps showing all properties within the county are maintained. Each time a parcel of property is sold or divided, or a new plat is filed, the transaction is shown on our records. The assessment roll of Clallam County is maintained by our office, along with lists of ownership, legal and building descriptions, tax code area, location, and the assessed valuation for all taxable property within the county.

Tax Relief & Exemption Programs

The Clallam County Assessor's Office administers a variety of tax relief and exemption programs, such as destroyed property claims, home improvement exemptions, open space/current use classification, and exemption and deferral programs for limited income senior citizens and disabled persons.