North Ogden (6/50)(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 (9/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well North Ogden 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. | Municipal Code Online database |
| Dog Licensing | 7 | 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 $30. | Link |
| Free Speech | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | |
| 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. | 8-6-3, Weber 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 North Ogden 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. | 1-4-1(a), 1-4-1(d) |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, North Ogden has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 6-2E-1 |
Private Property (8/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which North Ogden respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 7 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $100. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 40 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $10,758. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $8,009 in impact fees, $915 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 37 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $5 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 1 dogs, allows 10 chickens, and 5 beehives. | 6-1-1, 11-10-7, 11-10-7F |
| Short-term Rentals | 11 | 15% | This city allows short-term rentals of one's residential property, but imposes various conditions that must be met in order to operate them. | Per city staff |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 10 | 30% | The cost of government in North Ogden as a share of the total taxable economic base is $57 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $204 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $356. The city gets 27% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 31% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 42% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 6 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 1.84%. | 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 (12/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review North Ogden'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 | 21 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 12 am to 6 am. | 4-2-13 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 1 | 10% | The city requires $32 for a retail beer license, $32 for a restaurant license, and $32 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 29 | 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 4.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 26 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $100 for a home occupation license; $100 for a small commercial license; $100 for a large commercial license; $100 for a temporary firework stand; $100 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $200 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 8 | 10% | Construction is prohibited in North Ogden on Sundays. Additionally, children at daycares may play outside between 8pm and 8am each day, private parks must close from 10pm to 6am, and model homes must close from 9pm to 7am. | 11-10-10 11-10-14 11-10-20, 5-3-5 |