Logan (25/50)(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 (26/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Logan 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 | 13 | 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 $25. | Logan Animal Control |
| Free Speech | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | Special Event Permit |
| Daytime Curfew | 42 | 10% | Logan is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors. | 9-24-070 |
| Vice Regulation | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose additional regulations on public alcohol consumption beyond state law. However, smoking is prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | DABC, 9-12-170 |
| 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 loitering in a cabaret for the purpose of getting a person of the opposite sex to buy you a drink. | 5-24-190 |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Logan 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. | 1-16-010, County |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Logan has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 9-28-010 |
Private Property (28/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Logan respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 42 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $350. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $150 for public notice. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 1 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $2,905. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $821 in impact fees, $250 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 2 | 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 4 dogs, allows 51 chickens, and does not limit the number of beehives. | 6-08-65, 6-04-020 |
| 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 | 45 | 30% | The cost of government in Logan as a share of the total taxable economic base is $124 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $598 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $662. The city gets 21% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 34% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 45% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 26 | 15% | The city is currently utilizing 1.01% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 7.61%. | 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 (25/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Logan's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 46 | 15% | This city owns 7 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; a fitness center; a water park; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose any day or time restrictions on the retail sale of beer. | 5-10-890 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 18 | 10% | The city requires $300 for a retail beer license, $300 for a restaurant license, and $300 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 12 | 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 4.0%, and a leasing tax at 0.0%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 21 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $75 for a home occupation license; $150 for a small commercial license; $250 for a large commercial license; $75 for a temporary firework stand; $76 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $75 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 | 38 | 10% | In Logan, auctions are prohibited between 10pm and 7am. Mobile food vendors may not operate between 10pm and 7am. Dance halls must close between 1am and 7am, and all day Sunday. | 5-08-050 5-20-050(D) 5-24-090, 5.24.090 |