Layton (21/50)(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 (40/50)

This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Layton respects and protects the liberty of its citizens.

Metric	Rank	Category Weight	Description	Reference
Code Accessiblity	32	10%	This city's laws are posted online in a navigable and searchable PDF document.	PDF document format (linked table of contents and searchable)
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	30	15%	This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee.
Daytime Curfew	42	10%	Layton is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors.	9-24-015
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.	9-20-010, 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 under 21 from loitering around an alcohol-licensed establishment, except bowling alleys and golf clubs where they might be legitimately involved in activities. The city also prohibts loitering on school grounds without lawful business or loitering that obstructs private parking lots.	5-16-250, 9-08-020(3), 10-64-030
Violation of Ordinances	1	10%	While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Layton the default penalty for a violation of any city ordinance, if not specified, is a infraction which carries a fine of up to $750.	1-20-050, 1-20-090
Gun Regulation	29	15%	Under authority granted from state law, Layton 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 at swap meets is prohibited (provision goes beyond authority of state code).	9-60-020, 5-30-070

Private Property (19/50)

63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Layton 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 $350 (this includes mandatory site plan fees of at least $250).	Fee Schedule
Home Building Fees	22	10%	The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $7,798. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $4,773 in impact fees, $1,191 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees.	Per city staff
Animal Restrictions	35	15%	Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $30 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 3 beehives.	8-03-060, 19-06-080, Ordinance 15-17
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	15	30%	The cost of government in Layton as a share of the total taxable economic base is $70 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $273 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $460. The city gets 25% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 37% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 38% from other sources including fees and fines.	City Financial Statements
Bonded Debt	2	15%	The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 0.63%.	City Financial Statements
Lobbying	37	5%	During the past two years, Layton has spent an average of $30,000 each year to hire lobbyists to represent the city.	Per Records Request

This city also has restrictive land use ordinances that violate property rights.

Free Enterprise (19/50)

The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Layton'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 fitness center;	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.	5-16-110
Alcohol Licensing	31	10%	The city requires $300 for a retail beer license, $300 for a restaurant license, and $450 for a tavern license.	City Fee Schedule
Sales Tax	8	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 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%.	State Tax Commission
Business Licensing	31	35%	This city charges the following licensing fees: $60 for a home occupation license; $170 for a small commercial license; $170 for a large commercial license; $620 for a temporary firework stand; $620 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $70 for two solicitor licenses.	City Fee Schedule
Commerce Regulations	38	10%	Layton requires pawn shops to close between 9pm and 7am and all day Sunday. Home preschools may only operate between 8am and 6pm. Model homes must close from 7pm to 10am. Kennels must close between 7pm and 7am.	19-06-040 19-06-090(3)(e) 19-14-100(5)(b)(vi), 5.29.080 5.29.160