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