Roy (24/50)(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 (22/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Roy 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 | 47 | 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 $15. to $30. | Link |
| Free Speech | 1 | 15% | This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property. | |
| Daytime Curfew | 42 | 10% | Roy is one of a handful cities in Utah that imposes a daytime curfew on minors. | 5/2/2002 |
| 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, Weber 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 | 18 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit intoxicated persons and minors from loitering around alcohol-licensed establishments. | 3-2-2, 3-2-5(c) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Roy 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. | 1-4-1(a), 1-4-1(d)(1), 1-4-1(d)(2) |
| Gun Regulation | 8 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Roy has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits; however, the city's law does make an exception for self-defense. | 5-2-3(a), 5-2-3(b) |
Private Property (21/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Roy respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 20 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $250. | Fee Schedule |
| Home Building Fees | 24 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $8,000. This includes $8,000 in permit fees, no impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 34 | 15% | Chickens are permitted in at least one residential zone. Beehives are permitted in residential zones with a $15 city permit. Assuming a lot size of 0.15 acres, this city only allows you to have 2 dogs, allows 0 chickens, and no beehives. | 5-1-1, 5-1-9, Beekeeping Permit Application |
| 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 | 21 | 30% | The cost of government in Roy as a share of the total taxable economic base is $81 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 $387. The city gets 20% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 30% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 50% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 9 | 15% | The city does not have any general obligation debt. However, if counting revenue bonds, the city's debt limit utilization would be 3.01%. | 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 (34/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Roy's protection—or violation—of the free market.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-owned Enterprises | 22 | 15% | This city owns 3 enterprises that could instead be offered by the private market: a redevelopment agency; 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. | 3-2-5 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 36 | 10% | The city requires $375 for a retail beer license, $375 for a restaurant license, and $375 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 29 | 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 4.25%, and a leasing tax at 7.5%. | State Tax Commission |
| Business Licensing | 29 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $50 for a home occupation license; $75 for a small commercial license; $2727 for a large commercial license; $315 for a temporary firework stand; $316 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $100 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 | 23 | 10% | In Roy, businesses liscensed for entertainment or dancing of any kind may not be open from 1am to 7am. Additionally, pawn brokers may not open between 10pm and 7am. | 3-4-4 3-6-6(B) |