Ogden (49/50)(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 (42/50)

This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well 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	49	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 $50.	Link
Free Speech	1	15%	This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property.
Daytime Curfew	42	10%	Ogden is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors.	11-7-1
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.	11-5-1(B), Weber County regulation
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 $5,000 and the limit for a council candidate is $1,500.	1-8-3
Loitering	18	10%	The loitering laws in this city prohibit intoxicated persons or minors from loitering about alcohol-licensed establishments, pedestrians from loitering in a way that blocks or impedes traffic, the loitering of gang members, and loitering with the intent to do illegal activities.	5-3A-1, 10-7-12(c)(1)(a), 11-5-9, 11-5-11
Violation of Ordinances	8	10%	While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in 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.	1-4A-1(a), 1-4A-1(a)(1)(a), 1-4A-1(a)(1)(b)
Gun Regulation	29	15%	Under authority granted from state law, Ogden 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 at swap meets is prohibited (provision goes beyond authority of state code).	11-6-1(a), 5-13(c)-7(a)

Private Property (48/50)

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

Metric	Rank	Category Weight	Description	Reference
Conditional Use Permit Fees	14	10%	The cost of a conditional use permit is $175. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $225 for site plan review.	Fee Schedule
Home Building Fees	8	10%	The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $4,273. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $2,345 in impact fees, $94 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees.	Per city staff
Animal Restrictions	45	15%	Chickens are not permitted in residential zones. 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, no chickens, and 5 beehives.	13-2-4, 12-7-8, 13-4
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 (based on non-permitted land use)
Taxes & Cost of Government	50	30%	The cost of government in Ogden as a share of the total taxable economic base is $136 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $532 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $758. The city gets 37% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 22% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 41% from other sources including fees and fines.	City Financial Statements
Bonded Debt	43	15%	The city is currently utilizing 1.09% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 19.52%.	City Financial Statements
Lobbying	40	5%	During the past two years, Ogden has spent an average of $45,000 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 (47/50)

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

Metric	Rank	Category Weight	Description	Reference
City-owned Enterprises	41	15%	This city owns 6 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; a garbage collection service; a recycling service; a golf course; a fitness center; a water park;	City Financial Statements
Beer Sale Restrictions	12	10%	This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1 am to 6 am.	5-3D-2
Alcohol Licensing	26	10%	The city requires $297 for a retail beer license, $297 for a restaurant license, and $327 for a tavern license.	City Fee Schedule
Sales Tax	37	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 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%.	State Tax Commission
Business Licensing	45	35%	This city charges the following licensing fees: $83 for a home occupation license; $328 for a small commercial license; $328 for a large commercial license; $104 for a temporary firework stand; $105 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $166 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	42	10%	In Ogden, rollerskating rinks must be closed on 10pm Sunday-Thursday and 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday. Private clubs and associations may not operate between 2am and 10am. Pawn brokers and sidewalk vendors may not operate between 10pm and 7am. Private parks must be closed from 11pm to 6am. Children in daycare may not play outside between 8pm and 8am. Mobile food trucks may not vend between 10pm and 7am. Veterinary and other pet grooming facilities may not keep pets overnight. Car washes may not operate between 10pm and 6am. Drive in restaurants must be closed from 11:30pm to 7am.	15.38.5 5-4C-8 5-12A-4(B) 5-13B-6(C) 15-13-9(D) 15-13-12(B) 15-13-37(D)(7) 15-34-2(B) 15-38-4(B)(1) 15-41-7 15-38-5(R), 12.14.6(E)