Bountiful (9/50)(1 is most free, 50 is least free)
To learn what the below scores mean and how they were calculated, read our ranking methodology.
Individual Liberty (6/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Bountiful respects and protects the liberty of its citizens.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Accessiblity | 35 | 10% | This city's laws are available online and in a searchable PDF document. | PDF document format |
| Dog Licensing | 23 | 10% | Depending on whether the dog is fixed or not and the length of the license you purchase, licensing fees for each dog ranges from $8.33 to $40. | 6-32-010 (Davis County) |
| Free Speech | 1 | 15% | This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property. | |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 34 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting beer in all public places. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 6-12-109(g), Davis County regulation |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 1 | 10% | This city does not regulate free speech by imposing a limit on campaign contributions for city elections | |
| Loitering | 1 | 10% | The city does not include any specific loitering laws in its code. | |
| Violation of Ordinances | 2 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Bountiful the default penalty for a violation of any city ordinance, if not specified, is a class C misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $750. | 1-4-101 |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Bountiful has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 10-1-109(c) |
Private Property (10/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Bountiful respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 20 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $200. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $50 for a hearing. | Application Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 35 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $9,710. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $7,876 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 22 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $5 permit. Beehives are permitted in residential zones without a permit. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 2 dogs, allows 8 chickens, and 5 beehives. | 8-2-113, 14-22-101, 8-04-104 |
| Short-term Rentals | 17 | 15% | This city prohibits property owners from renting their residential property on a short-term basis as is often done through services like Airbnb and VRBO. | Per city staff |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 8 | 30% | The cost of government in Bountiful as a share of the total taxable economic base is $55 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $209 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $429. The city gets 21% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 36% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 43% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 10 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 3.60%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 1 | 5% | This city does not employ lobbyists to represent the city. | Per Records Request |
This city also has restrictive land use ordinances that violate property rights.
Free Enterprise (17/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Bountiful's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 30 | 15% | This city owns 4 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; an electric power company; a garbage collection service; a golf course; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 12 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1 am to 6 am. | 5-7-110(i) |
| Alcohol Licensing | 32 | 10% | The city requires $300 for a retail beer license, $350 for a restaurant license, and $400 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 20 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.6% on its citizens. Additionally, residents are required to pay a RAP tax at the rate of 0.1%. The city also has a municipal energy tax rate of 6.0%, a transient room tax at 4.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 5 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $25 for a home occupation license; $65 for a small commercial license; $2650 for a large commercial license; $125 for a temporary firework stand; $125 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $50 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 23 | 10% | Bountiful requires dance halls to close between midnight and 6am, and prohibits horse-drawn carriages from operating between 6pm and midnight on school nights, and 6pm and 1am on weekends. | 5-3-101 5-11-106 6-5-124 |