Provo (45/50)(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 (46/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Provo 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. | Code Publishing database |
| 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. | Link |
| Free Speech | 45 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, along with payment of a $5 fee. | Special Event Permit |
| 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. | 9-19-090, 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 | 28 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit attmpting to hide oneself after dark in a high-crime area. | 9-14-200 |
| Violation of Ordinances | 8 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Provo 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. | 1-03-010(1), 1-03-010(2) |
| Gun Regulation | 46 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Provo 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. The code also has additional provisions regulating firearms. This includes: • Carrying dangerous weapons into treatment facilities is prohibited. | 9-03-010, 9-14-120 |
Private Property (40/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Provo respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 40 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $360. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $30 for public hearing notice. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 18 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $7,099. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $4,074 in impact fees, $1,191 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 30 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $20 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, allows 2 chickens, and 5 beehives. | 8-06-070, 8-02-190, 8-03 |
| 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. | 6.26.020 |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 39 | 30% | The cost of government in Provo as a share of the total taxable economic base is $98 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $419 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $491. The city gets 25% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 28% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 47% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 38 | 15% | The city is currently utilizing 5.56% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 10.82%. | 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 (38/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Provo's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 46 | 15% | This city owns 7 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; an electric power company; a garbage collection service; a recycling service; a golf course; a fitness center; a water park; | 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. | 6-14-140 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 42 | 10% | The city requires $350 for a retail beer license, $450 for a restaurant license, and $550 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 22 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.75% on its citizens. 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 | 17 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $37 for a home occupation license; $125 for a small commercial license; $800 for a large commercial license; $384 for a temporary firework stand; $309 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $152 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 11 | 10% | In Provo, entertainment businesses must close between 1am and 8am. Home occupations employing people not living in the residence must make them leave between 5pm and 8am. | 6-15-060(1) 14-41-060(3), 2.15.140 |