Murray (22/50)(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 (2/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Murray 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. | Sterling Codifiers database |
| Dog Licensing | 1 | 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 $5. to $5. | Link |
| Free Speech | 1 | 15% | This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property. | |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose additional regulations on public alcohol consumption beyond state law. However, smoking is prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 12-24-220 13-40-150, 8-20-040 |
| 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 without lawful business. | 9-19-010(c) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Murray 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. | 1-12-020(b), 1-12-020 |
| Gun Regulation | 25 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Murray has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. The code also has additional provisions regulating firearms. This includes: • The manufacture of firearms is prohibited in M-G zones. | 9-18-010, 17-152-030 |
Private Property (35/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Murray respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 28 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $300. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 16 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $6,820. This includes $1,841 in permit fees, $4,059 in impact fees, $920 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 42 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone. Beehives are not permitted in residential zones. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 2 dogs, allows 0 chickens, and no beehives. | 6-04-010, 17-152-030, Per city staff (not a permitted use) |
| 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. | 17.112.020 ("BED AND BREAKFAST HOMESTAY"’Murray's term used for short-term rentals’not listed as a permitted use) |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 35 | 30% | The cost of government in Murray as a share of the total taxable economic base is $83 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $393 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $749. The city gets 36% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 28% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 35% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 14 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 4.92%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 36 | 5% | During the past two years, Murray has spent an average of $25,000 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 (35/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Murray's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 30 | 15% | This city owns 4 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; an electric power company; a golf course; a theater; | 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. | 5-12-250(C) |
| Alcohol Licensing | 35 | 10% | The city requires $200 for a retail beer license, $500 for a restaurant license, and $500 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 41 | 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 5.75%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 23 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $50 for a home occupation license; $124 for a small commercial license; $3580 for a large commercial license; $260 for a temporary firework stand; $260 for a temporary christmas tree lot. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 11 | 10% | In Murray, secondhand dealers must close between 10pm and 7am. Commercial uses of residential property must be closed from 10pm to 7am. | 5-24-080 17-140-150 |