South Ogden (32/50)(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 (29/50)

This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well South 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.	Sterling Codifiers database
Dog Licensing	12	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 $7.5 to $30.	Link
Free Speech	1	15%	This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property.
Daytime Curfew	42	10%	South Ogden is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors.	5-3B-1
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.	3-2-11, 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	18	10%	The loitering laws in this city prohibit minors (under 21) from loitering around a class A alcohol-licensed establishment.	3-2-10(c-e)
Violation of Ordinances	11	10%	While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in South 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	40	15%	Under authority granted from state law, South Ogden 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.	5-2-3(b)

Private Property (29/50)

63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which South Ogden respects and protects private property rights.

Metric	Rank	Category Weight	Description	Reference
Conditional Use Permit Fees	10	10%	The cost of a conditional use permit is 100 (plus $25 per additional acre).	Fee Schedule
Home Building Fees	12	10%	The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $6,005. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $3,347 in impact fees, $824 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees.	Per city staff
Animal Restrictions	49	15%	Chickens are not permitted in residential zones. Beehives are not permitted in residential zones. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 2 dogs, no chickens, and no beehives.	10-2-1, 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.	Per city staff
Taxes & Cost of Government	26	30%	The cost of government in South Ogden as a share of the total taxable economic base is $81 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $290 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $540. The city gets 33% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 30% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 37% from other sources including fees and fines.	City Financial Statements
Bonded Debt	25	15%	The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 7.95%.	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 (32/50)

The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review South Ogden's protection—or violation—of the free market.

Metric	Rank	Category Weight	Description	Reference
City-owned Enterprises	4	15%	This city owns one enterprise that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency;	City Financial Statements
Beer Sale Restrictions	46	10%	This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 12:45 am to 7 am.	3-2-10(f)
Alcohol Licensing	27	10%	The city requires $274 for a retail beer license, $393 for a restaurant license, and $250 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	34	35%	This city charges the following licensing fees: $30 for a home occupation license; $130 for a small commercial license; $4300 for a large commercial license; $340 for a temporary firework stand; $341 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $25 for two solicitor licenses. The city also has a Good Landlord program that reduces the high per-unit rental fees if landlords comply with additional city regulations, which includes restrictions on who the landlord can rent his or her property to.	City Fee Schedule
Commerce Regulations	46	10%	In South Ogden, cabarets must be closed from 1am to 6am, and all day Sunday. Pawn shops must close from 10pm to 7am. Sidewalk vendors may not operate from 10pm to 7am. Entertainment businesses must cease operation between midnight and 8am, or 1:30am and 8am on Saturday and Sunday. Car washes may not operate between 10pm and 6am. Private recreational areas without a swimming pool may not be operated between 11pm and 6am. Children at daycares may not play outside between 8pm and 8am. Home occupations may not be opened between 9pm and 8am.	3-4-6(J) 3-6-5(F) 3-9B-6(C) 3-10-6(A) 10-8A-4(B) 10-14-10(D) 10-14-13(B) 10-19-3(G)