Woods Cross (3/50)(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 (38/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Woods Cross respects and protects the liberty of its citizens.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code Accessiblity | 35 | 10% | This city's laws are available online and in a searchable PDF document. | PDF document format |
| Dog Licensing | 23 | 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 $8.33 to $40. | 6-32-010 (Davis County) |
| 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. | 8-06-190, Davis 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 | 31 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit loitering on school grounds without lawful business. | 13-06-090(3) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Woods Cross 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. | |
| Gun Regulation | 29 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Woods Cross 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: • Carrying a firearm in a park is prohibited. • Minors are prohibited from handling firearms. | 13-06-110(a), 8-06-090, 13-06-110(c) |
Private Property (2/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Woods Cross respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 4 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $50. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 27 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $8,564. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $6,230 in impact fees, $500 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 16 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone with a $5 permit. Beehives are permitted in residential zones with a $50 city permit. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 3 dogs, allows 10 chickens, and 2 beehives. | Per city staff, 12-21-118, 12-21-119 |
| 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. | |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 6 | 30% | The cost of government in Woods Cross as a share of the total taxable economic base is $56 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $262 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $399. The city gets 24% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 47% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 29% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 15 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 5.59%. | 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 (1/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Woods Cross'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 | 21 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1 am to 7 am. | 6-09-040 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 2 | 10% | The city requires $100 for a retail beer license, $150 for a restaurant license, and $150 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 24 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.6% 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 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 1 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $25 for a home occupation license; $50 for a small commercial license; $50 for a large commercial license; $25 for a temporary firework stand; $25 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $50 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 6 | 10% | In Woods Cross, businesses may not permit minors to remain between midnight and 5am. | 13-06-020 7-24-020 |