Clearfield (44/50)(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 (48/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Clearfield respects and protects the liberty of its citizens.
Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Code Accessiblity | 1 | 10% | This city uses an online, easily navigable and searchable database for its city laws. | Sterling Codifiers database |
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 | 45 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, along with payment of a $5 fee. | City Special Event Policy |
Daytime Curfew | 42 | 10% | Clearfield is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors. | 6-2B-2 |
Vice Regulation | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose additional regulations on public alcohol consumption beyond state law. However, smoking is prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 7-1-6, 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 | 31 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit minors from loitering around a class C or class D licensed establishment or loitering inside or around a school without lawful business. | 4-2-10(b), 6-2A-3(c) |
Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Clearfield the default penalty for a violation of any city ordinance, if not specified, is a class B misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $1,000. | 1-4-1(b), 1-4-1(e) |
Gun Regulation | 29 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Clearfield has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. The city's law also has additional provisions regulating firearms that may be inconsistent with state and federal law. This includes: • The sale of firearms prohibited at swap meets. | 6-2C-1, 6-2C-1(a), 11-13-33(b) |
Private Property (47/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Clearfield respects and protects private property rights.
Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Conditional Use Permit Fees | 36 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $200 for home occupations, $350 for residential permits, $350 for commercial permits and $200 for an extension request. | Fee Schedule |
Home Building Fees | 45 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $11,999. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $9,665 in impact fees, $500 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
Animal Restrictions | 49 | 15% | Chickens are not permitted in residential zones. Beehives are not permitted in residential zones. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 2 dogs, no chickens, and no beehives. | Per city staff, 11-8A-11, 11-8A-3 |
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 | 38 | 30% | The cost of government in Clearfield as a share of the total taxable economic base is $100 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $427 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $534. The city gets 32% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 22% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 46% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
Bonded Debt | 34 | 15% | The city is currently utilizing 3.12% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 10.04%. | 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 (16/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Clearfield's protection—or violation—of the free market.
Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
City-owned Enterprises | 13 | 15% | This city owns 2 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; a water park; | 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. | 4-2-10(H) |
Alcohol Licensing | 3 | 10% | The city requires $138 for a retail beer license, $138 for a restaurant license, and $138 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
Sales Tax | 24 | 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 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
Business Licensing | 32 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $75 for a home occupation license; $75 for a small commercial license; $75 for a large commercial license; $120 for a temporary firework stand; $121 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $245 for two solicitor licenses. The city also has a Good Landlord program that reduces the high per-unit rental fees if landlords comply with additional city regulations, which includes restrictions on who the landlord can rent his or her property to. | City Fee Schedule |
Commerce Regulations | 11 | 10% | Clearfield requires temporary, seasonal, or mobile food vendors to shut down operations between 10pm and 6am. | 4-9-5 |