Springville (31/50)(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 (25/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Springville 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 | 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 | 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. | 8-4-112(2)(g), 8-4-112 |
| 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 or minors loitering at a pool hall if beer is sold or consumed there. | 8-7-104, 7-2-101(3) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Springville 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. | 1-6-101, County |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Springville has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 8-3-102(1) |
Private Property (24/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Springville respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 46 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $575. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 42 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $10,987. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $9,153 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 25 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone. 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 6 chickens, and no beehives. | 3-7-304, 3-7-801, 11-4-301 |
| Short-term Rentals | 1 | 15% | While some cities in Utah prohibit using services like Airbnb and VRBO to rent property, this city has no ordinance regulating or explicitly prohibiting property owners from doing so. | Per city staff |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 30 | 30% | The cost of government in Springville as a share of the total taxable economic base is $88 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $371 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $517. The city gets 19% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 38% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 42% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 39 | 15% | The city is currently utilizing 3.48% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 12.75%. | 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 (37/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Springville's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 35 | 15% | This city owns 5 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; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 47 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 12 am to 6 am. | 7-3-111 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 38 | 10% | The city requires $300 for a retail beer license, $300 for a restaurant license, and $600 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 | 19 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $70 for a home occupation license; $80 for a small commercial license; $2500 for a large commercial license; $120 for a temporary firework stand; $120 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $120 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 46 | 10% | In Springville, bowling alleys and billiard halls must close from midnight to 6am. Dances are not allowed between midnight and 6am or all day Sunday. Skating rinks must be closed between midnight and 6am. Swimming pools must close from midnight to 6am. Home preschools may only operate between 8am and 6pm. (X) Pawnshops not to do business between 9PM and 7AM | 7-2-101, 102 7-2-103(6) 7-2-105 7-2-106 11-3-402 (Preschool, Home Based) 7-4-111, 7.4.111 7.2.103(6) |