Washington (41/50)(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 (28/50)
This category compiles scores on 17 different data points to determine how well Washington 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 | 48 | 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 $12. to $40. | Link |
| Free Speech | 1 | 15% | This city does not require a permit to stage a protest on public property. | Per city staff |
| Daytime Curfew | 1 | 10% | This city does not impose a daytime curfew on minors. | |
| Vice Regulation | 9 | 10% | This city exceeds the regulations of state law on public consumption of alcohol by prohibiting beer in a list of public places. However, there are no regulations on smoking in outdoor areas. | 6-5-1(A) |
| Campaign Contribution Limits | 1 | 10% | This city does not regulate free speech by imposing a limit on campaign contributions for city elections | |
| Loitering | 28 | 10% | The loitering laws in this city prohibit loitering in parks between 10:00pm and 6:00am and loitering for the purpose of getting something from a passerby (considered a nuisance). | 5-2A-2(a), 5-3-3B(33)(m) |
| Violation of Ordinances | 11 | 10% | While some ordinances may impose a specific penalty, in Washington 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. | |
| Gun Regulation | 47 | 15% | Under authority granted from state law, Washington has chosen to regulate the discharge of firearms in city limits with no exceptions for self-defense or other lawful uses made explicit in code. The city's law also has additional provisions regulating firearms that may be inconsistent with state and federal law. This includes: • Carrying a loaded firearm while operating an off highway vehicle is prohibited. | 5-2B-1(A), 5-2F-4(k) |
Private Property (45/50)
63 different data points are included in this category to discern the degree to which Washington respects and protects private property rights.
| Metric | Rank | Category Weight | Description | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Use Permit Fees | 36 | 10% | The cost of a conditional use permit is $300 (plus $50 per additional acre). | Permit application |
| Home Building Fees | 48 | 10% | The total cost of permit fees for building a typical single family home is $14,510. This includes $1,338 in permit fees, $13,172 in impact fees, no site plan approval fees, and no plan check fees. | Per city staff |
| Animal Restrictions | 18 | 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 0 chickens, and does not limit the number of beehives. | 9-1-6, 9-8-B2 |
| 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. | 9-8B-2(D) |
| Taxes & Cost of Government | 33 | 30% | The cost of government in Washington as a share of the total taxable economic base is $95 per $10,000. As a share of total personal income, the cost is $484 per $10,000. On a per capita basis, the cost is $674. The city gets 21% of its tax revenue from property taxes, 28% of its tax revenue from sales tax, and 52% from other sources including fees and fines. | City Financial Statements |
| Bonded Debt | 44 | 15% | The city is currently utilizing 4.09% of thier debt limit for general obligation bonds; however, if calculated for all bonds (including revenue bonds), the utilization would be 18.55%. | City Financial Statements |
| Lobbying | 1 | 5% | This city does not employ lobbyists to represent the city. | City expense data |
This city also has restrictive land use ordinances that violate property rights.
Free Enterprise (29/50)
The final category includes 35 different data points in an effort to review Washington'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: an electric power company; a garbage collection service; a recycling service; a golf course; a reception/event center; a fitness center; a water park; | City Financial Statements |
| Beer Sale Restrictions | 10 | 10% | This city regulates the retail sale of beer by prohibiting sales from 1 am to 5 am . | 3-2-12 |
| Alcohol Licensing | 45 | 10% | The city requires $500 for a retail beer license, $500 for a restaurant license, and $500 for a tavern license. | City Fee Schedule |
| Sales Tax | 9 | 20% | This city imposes a combined sales tax rate of 6.35% 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 | 10 | 35% | This city charges the following licensing fees: $50 for a home occupation license; $80 for a small commercial license; $350 for a large commercial license; $50 for a temporary firework stand; $50 for a temporary christmas tree lot; and $195 for two solicitor licenses. | City Fee Schedule |
| Commerce Regulations | 20 | 10% | Washington prohibits excavations on Sunday, and pawn brokers must close from 7pm to 7am each day. | 3-9-6 7-1-14, 9.12C.7(e) |