Clinton (10/50)(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 (30/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Clinton 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 | 42 | 10% | Clinton is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors. | 7-2-2 |
| Vice Regulation | 13 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting beer in a list of public places. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 6-3-14 19-9-1, 19-10-1 |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 1 | 10% | This city does not regulate free speech by imposing a limit on campaign contributions for city elections | |
| Loitering | 28 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit loitering in public parks between 11:00pm and 5:00am in addition to malicious loitering in "an effort to obstruct or interfere." | 19-8-1, 19-8-13 |
| Violation of Ordinances | 2 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Clinton 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. | 1-1-7-1, 1-1-7(2) |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Clinton has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 11-1-1(1), 11-1-1(1)(a) |
Private Property (3/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Clinton 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 $250. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $250 for appeals. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 32 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $9,059. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $7,225 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 27 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a no cost 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, no chickens, and does not limit the number of beehives. | 3-1-1, 28-3-9 |
| Short-term Rentals | 1 | 15% | While some cities in Utah prohibit using services like Airbnb and VRBO to rent property, this city has no ordinance regulating or explicitly prohibiting property owners from doing so. | Per city staff |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 9 | 30% | The cost of government in Clinton as a share of the total taxable economic base is $67 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $243 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $367. The city gets 18% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 36% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 45% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 5 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 1.33%. | 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 (22/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Clinton's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 4 | 15% | This city owns one enterprise that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 21 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1 am to 7 am, and requiring surveillance from 11 pm to 5 am. | 15-3-3(9)(d) 15-3-21(3) |
| Alcohol Licensing | 39 | 10% | The city requires $250 for a retail beer license, $500 for a restaurant license, and $500 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 5 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.5% on its citizens. 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 | 43 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $107 for a home occupation license; $266 for a small commercial license; $266 for a large commercial license; $376 for a temporary firework stand; $376 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $110 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 23 | 10% | Clinton prohibits home businesses from conducting business between 10pm and 6am. Restaurants may not employ people under 18 past 1am, or allow people under 16 in the restaurant unaccompanied past 11pm. Vendors may not operate between sundown and 8am. And any filming (besides for personal use), and all activity related to filming including set up may not take place between 7pm and 7am without approval. | 15-2-5-7c 15-2-7-2c 15-7-2 15-7-3 15-11-42 15-16-5-1, 6.3.6 |