Eagle Mountain (12/50)(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 (32/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Eagle Mountain 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. | Code Publishing database |
| Dog Licensing | 33 | 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 $11.66 to $35. | Utah Valley Animal Shelter |
| Free Speech | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | 12-3 |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| 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. | 7-05-040(Y), 7-05-040 |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 1 | 10% | This city does not regulate free speech by imposing a limit on campaign contributions for city elections | |
| Loitering | 18 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit minors from loitering in or around any beer tavern. | 5-15-180(d-e) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Eagle Mountain 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. | |
| Gun Regulation | 29 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Eagle Mountain 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: • Carrying a firearm during special events is prohibited in parks. • Firearms prohibited during public assemblies. • Possession of firearms prohibited in rehab and treatment facilities. | 9-10-010, 7-05-040(u), 12-30-010(t), 17-75-070(d) |
Private Property (22/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Eagle Mountain respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 42 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $500 for new permits, and $200 to amend. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 10 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $4,446. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $2,154 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and $458 in plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 2 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone. Beehives are permitted in residential zones without a permit. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 4 dogs, allows 51 chickens, and does not limit the number of beehives. | 6-05-260, 17-85 |
| 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 | 32 | 30% | The cost of government in Eagle Mountain as a share of the total taxable economic base is $95 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $339 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $419. The city gets 12% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 21% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 66% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 50 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 38.82%. | 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 (2/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Eagle Mountain'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 | 8 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by requiring sales to be under surveillance from 11 pm to 5 am. | 5-15-090(A) |
| Alcohol Licensing | 18 | 10% | The city requires $300 for a retail beer license, $300 for a restaurant license, and $300 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 13 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.75% 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 | 12 | 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; $85 for a temporary firework stand; $85 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $75 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 5 | 10% | In Eagle Mountain, construction projects may not commence before 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. And all outdoor public assemblies must finish before 2am, or 10pm on nights preceding a day when elementary school is in session. | 12-30-020(P), 8.15.070(c) |