Kaysville (14/50)(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 (50/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Kaysville 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 | 45 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, along with payment of a $20 fee. | Special Event Permit |
| 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. | 12-2-05, 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 loitering on school grounds. | 6-3-2(3) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Kaysville 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. | 1-3-1, Per city staff |
| Gun Regulation | 40 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Kaysville has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits with no exceptions for self-defense or other lawful uses made explicit in code. | 6-6-2 |
Private Property (7/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Kaysville respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 4 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $50. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $50 for appeals. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 19 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $7,212. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $5,195 in impact fees, $183 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 33 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $50 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. | 15-3-6, 17-24 |
| 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 (based on non-permitted land use) |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 3 | 30% | The cost of government in Kaysville as a share of the total taxable economic base is $50 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $174 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $351. The city gets 14% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 33% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 52% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 4 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 1.21%. | 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 (3/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Kaysville'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; an electric power company; | 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. | 16-3-5-8 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 4 | 10% | The city requires $75 for a retail beer license, $200 for a restaurant license, and $200 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 | 14 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $30 for a home occupation license; $95 for a small commercial license; $95 for a large commercial license; $450 for a temporary firework stand; $450 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $120 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 8 | 10% | Kaysville prohibits construction work, commercial power equipment operation, and garbage collection between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Firing ranges must close between 10pm and 7am and all day Sunday. | 14-3-1 |