Lindon (19/50)(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 (31/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Lindon 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 | 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. | Special Event Permit |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 11 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting liquor in additional places. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 9-16-040, Utah 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 | 1 | 10% | The city does not include any specific loitering laws in its code. | |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Lindon 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. | 1-16-010, 1-16-020 |
| Gun Regulation | 40 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Lindon 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. | 9-24-020 |
Private Property (16/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Lindon 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. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 39 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $10,632. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $8,340 in impact fees, $458 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 4 | 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 3 dogs, allows 50 chickens, and 4 beehives. | 6-32-010, 6-32, 6-35 |
| 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 | 37 | 30% | The cost of government in Lindon as a share of the total taxable economic base is $86 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $536 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $845. The city gets 35% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 34% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 30% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 31 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 11.72%. | 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 (27/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Lindon'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 | 49 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from on Sunday or 1 am to 7 am. | 5-08-120 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 40 | 10% | The city requires $400 for a retail beer license, $400 for a restaurant license, and $400 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 37 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.85% 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 | 4 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $40 for a home occupation license; $100 for a small commercial license; $140 for a large commercial license; $50 for a temporary firework stand; $50 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $80 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 38 | 10% | In Lindon, it is illegal to sell beer or operate a pawn shop on Sunday. Additionally, auctions must take place between 7am and 7pm, billiard halls must close between 11pm and 7am, and pawn brokers must close from 9pm to 7am. | 5-16-030 5-20-040 5-32-120, 5.32.12 |