Taylorsville (30/50)(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 (23/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Taylorsville 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 | 3 | 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 $25. | Link |
| Free Speech | 1 | 15% | This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property. | Optional 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. | 5-24-430, 9-65-020 |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 48 | 10% | This city regulates free speech by imposing campaign contribution limits for city elections. The contribution limit for a mayoral candidate is $7,500 and the limit for a council candidate is $1,500. | 2-36-30 |
| Loitering | 48 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit being "at a place or at a time under circumstances that warrant alarm" for another person's safety. The city also prohibits loitering on school grounds without official business, or loitering that prevents the free passage of pedestrians on a sidewalk for more than two minutes. The city even prohibits being at a "building, lot, street, sidewalk or any other public or private place, either by walking, sitting, standing, or by sitting in or upon a vehicle or conveyance, without apparent reason." | 10-30-010, 14-32-160 |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Taylorsville 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. | 1-08-020 |
| Gun Regulation | 29 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Taylorsville has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. The city's law also has additional provisions regulating firearms that may be inconsistent with state and federal law. This includes: • The sale of firearms is prohibited at swap meets. • The manufacturing and sale of firearms is prohibted as a home occupation. | 10-60-010, 5-87-090, 13-11-040(j)(8) |
Private Property (14/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Taylorsville respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 39 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $100 (plus $10 per additional unit). Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $250 plus 20 per unit. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 7 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $3,927. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $1,360 in impact fees, $733 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 28 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $25 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 does not limit the number of beehives. | 8-04-160, 8-12-140 |
| 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. | 13-36-190 (See "RESIDENTIAL LEASE, SHORT TERM," B) |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 14 | 30% | The cost of government in Taylorsville as a share of the total taxable economic base is $60 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $224 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $342. The city gets 30% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 37% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 34% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 7 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 2.48%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 44 | 5% | During the past two years, Taylorsville has spent an average of $64,708 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 (40/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Taylorsville's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 30 | 15% | This city owns 4 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; a garbage collection service; a recycling service; a fitness center; | 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. | 5-24-290 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 12 | 10% | The city requires $250 for a retail beer license, $250 for a restaurant license, and $250 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 34 | 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 4.75%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 47 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $75 for a home occupation license; $187 for a small commercial license; $2361 for a large commercial license; $456 for a temporary firework stand; $457 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $427 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. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 23 | 10% | In Taylorsville, teen dance halls must close at 10pm on Sundays during the school year. Pool halls must close between 2am and 6am. Pawn shops must close from 10pm to 7am. Public entertainment may not take place from 1am to 6am. Daycare outdoor hours may only be from 8am to 8pm. | 5-38-060 5-28-090 5-75-130 5-77-070 13-11-040 |