Payson (28/50)(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 (33/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Payson 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 | 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 | 30 | 15% | This city requires a permit to stage a protest on public property, but does not require a fee. | |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 34 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting beer in all public places. Smoking is also prohibited in certain outdoor areas. | 15-2-4-9, Utah 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. | 7-01-010(3) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 2 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Payson the default penalty for a violation of any city ordinance, if not specified, is a class C misdemeanor which carries a fine of up to $750. | 1-03-040 |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Payson has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 7-01-050, 7-01-50 |
Private Property (33/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Payson respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 28 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $300. Additionally, the city may charge a fee of $200 for a hearing. | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 33 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $9,208. This includes $1,834 in permit fees, $7,224 in impact fees, $150 in site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 13 | 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 does not limit the number of beehives. | 6-01-240, 6-01-101 |
| 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 | 22 | 30% | The cost of government in Payson as a share of the total taxable economic base is $76 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $285 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $380. The city gets 20% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 37% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 43% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 41 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 19.65%. | 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 (18/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Payson'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 golf course; 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. | 4-2-4 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 33 | 10% | The city requires $350 for a retail beer license, $350 for a restaurant license, and $350 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 18 | 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 5.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 13 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $75 for a home occupation license; $85 for a small commercial license; $85 for a large commercial license; $40 for a temporary firework stand; $40 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $100 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 6 | 10% | In Payson, home occupations may not have visitors from 10pm to 7am. Tanning beds as a home occupation may not be used from 9pm to 7am. | 19-16-3(2)(b) 19-16-2(1)(b)(iii), 18.01.150 |