South Jordan (34/50)(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 (12/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well South Jordan 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 | 5 | 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 $10. to $17. | Link |
| Free Speech | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | 5-92 |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| 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. | 9-08-080, 12-16-065 |
| 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. | 9-08-060(c) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in South Jordan 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. | 1-28-030(b), 1-28-080 |
| Gun Regulation | 1 | 15% | South Jordan does not have an ordinance that specifically regulates the discharge of firearms in city limits. | 12-16-050 |
Private Property (37/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which South Jordan respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 27 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $288. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 31 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $9,021. This includes $2,217 in permit fees, $6,549 in impact fees, $255 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 39 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $35 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 no beehives. | 6-08-060, 17-32-130, 17-130-040-040 |
| 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. | 5.64.010(E) |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 43 | 30% | The cost of government in South Jordan as a share of the total taxable economic base is $100 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $456 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $905. The city gets 40% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 18% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 42% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 27 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 8.77%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 43 | 5% | During the past two years, South Jordan has spent an average of $59,000 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 (36/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review South Jordan's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 22 | 15% | This city owns 3 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; a golf course; a water park; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 21 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1am to 7am. | 5-12-040(E)(5)(b) |
| Alcohol Licensing | 43 | 10% | The city requires $309 for a retail beer license, $618 for a restaurant license, and $618 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 40 | 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 5.5%, a transient room tax at 5.75%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 27 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $47 for a home occupation license; $91 for a small commercial license; $811 for a large commercial license; $123 for a temporary firework stand; $123 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $536 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 11 | 10% | In South Jordan, pawn brokers must remain closed between 7pm and 7am. Home occupations may only have visitors between 7am and 7pm. | 5-48-130(G) 17-98-020(K) |