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)