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1. Can I pay my bills online?

Yes. We provide online bill pay services through Xpress Bill Pay.

2. Is there a way that I can access Municipal Codes all in one place?

Yes. We have our complete Code of Ordinances available online.

3. How do I get a library card for the Jerome Public Libary?

You must bring in a photo identification and proof of residence. Proof of residence can be in the form of a piece of mail, a water or power bill or a rent receipt. The Jerome Public Library is located at:
100 1st Avenue E
Jerome, ID 83338

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1. Where is the Planning Office located?

The Planning Office is located in City Hall at:
152 E Avenue A
Jerome, ID 83338

For questions, call 208-324-8189 or view a map to our office.

2. What is the zoning of my property?

To determine the zone of your property, use the City of Jerome’s official zoning map (PDF). When the map is viewable, find your address and note which zoning color corresponds to the legend in the bottom left corner of the map. If you have any questions concerning zoning, call the Planning and Zoning Office at 208-324-8189.

3. What can I do with my property?

The uses allowed on your property depend on the zoning of your property. The City of Jerome has assigned a zone to every property located in the City of Jerome. Zoning regulates the types and densities of residential development and the types of industrial and commercial uses allowed. The City of Jerome Planning Office can assist you in determining the zoning of your property and the uses allowed in that zone.

For your reference, you may view 17.14.010 of the Jerome Municipal Code which contains the Official Schedule of District Regulations. This will show the uses allowed in different zoning districts. Uses are listed as “P” for a Permitted Use and “S” signifying by Special Use Permit only. If none of these are listed, the use is prohibited in that zone.

4. What is a special use?

Some uses require review by the Planning and Zoning Commission before they can be permitted. Special Use Permits are usually required because the proposed use has the potential to have a significant impact on neighboring properties. The Special Use Permit process ensures that the public has an opportunity to review and comment on the application. A Special Use Permit is an application process which has a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The public hearing process for a Special Use Permit takes approximately three months from start to finish. The City will send notices to neighbors within 300 feet of the property and public agencies such as school districts and the Jerome County Highway District. This gives anyone who may be affected, an opportunity to comment on the proposed use of the property. You may obtain information regarding Conditional uses in the Jerome Municipal Code, Title 17. View the special use permit application (PDF).

5. What is a permitted use?

Permitted Uses are those that are allowed outright without a public hearing based on the Jerome Municipal Code, 17.14.010.

6. What kind of fence can I put up at my house?

In any front yard, no fence or wall or shrub shall be permitted which materially impedes vision across such yard over the height of three feet and twenty feet back from front property line. For back and side yards, a wall, fence, or planting screen shall not be more than six feet in height and shall be maintained in good condition.

Temporary materials or materials not originally designed for the purposes of fence construction will be highly discouraged. Fences made of wood, vinyl are preferred with chain-link encouraged only for back-yard fences.

7. Can I run a daycare out of my home?

Depending on your zone, you may be allowed to operate a daycare, however you are still required to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a business out of your home. There are three types of childcare facilities. The City of Jerome defines daycares in this way:

• Family Daycare Home: A childcare facility for five or fewer children. Baby sitting services are an accessory use to residential uses.
• Group Daycare Facility: A childcare facility for six to twelve children.
• Daycare Center: A childcare facility for thirteen or more children.

To obtain a Special Use Permit, visit the forms page. For any questions, call 208-324-8189.

8. What are the setbacks for my property?

Setbacks are determined according to the zoning district of your property. You may obtain zoning district information by contacting the Planning Department or by viewing our code online. View a table (PDF) summarizing most setbacks in the City.

9. How long do applications take to process?

Applications that require a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council take approximately 3 to 4 months to process from the date of submittal until the final paper work is completed. To access an application for special use permits, variance requests, preliminary and final plats, and other planning and zoning issues, visit the forms page.

10. What is required to put up a sign for my business?

You are required to obtain a sign permit prior to erecting a sign on your property. You may reference sign regulations in title 17 of the municipal code. Sign permit applications can be obtained from the Building Department in City Hall.

11. I received a notice from the City about my neighbor’s property? What does this mean?

The City mails a notice out to all property owners within 300 feet of a property when a development application is submitted. This notice details the request and allows surrounding property owners an opportunity to comment for or against the application at or prior to the public hearing. You can obtain more information on the application by contacting the Planning Office at 208-324-8189.

12. Where can I view the Jerome Municipal Code?

You may the view the Jerome Municipal Code online. If you do not have internet access you may visit our office in City Hall.

13. Where can I get application forms?

You may access applications forms online on our forms page or you may come by our office in City Hall.

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1. Where do I pay my citation?

All citations can be paid in person or by mail at:
Judicial Annex
233 W Main
Jerome, ID 83338

This includes citations issued by the Ordinance and Animal Control Officers. Note, the bottom of the citation lists the date you have been cited in for. This does not include City parking tickets.

2. Where do I pay parking tickets?

Parking tickets can be paid in person or by mail at:
Jerome City Hall
152 E Avenue A
Jerome, ID 83338

3. What is the non-emergency telephone number?

The non-emergency telephone number is 208-324-1911.

4. How can I file a police report?

You can file a police report at the Administrative Office during normal business hours. You may also call the non-emergency number at 208-324-1911 to have an Officer dispatched to your location within with city limits of Jerome.

5. What is the procedure for a misdemeanor traffic offense?

For misdemeanor traffic offenses, the defendant is normally required to appear in court at the county where the offense is alleged to have occurred. The location for Jerome County Court appearances is the:
Jerome County Annex
233 W Main
Jerome, ID 83338

Citations are filed by the issuing officer with the court indicated on the summons. If the defendant fails to appear in court on the date indicated on the citation, the magistrate judge can issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant. The charge is for failure to appear. When served, this warrant results in the arrest of the defendant and may lead to incarceration if the defendant is unable to post the bond set by the magistrate judge on the warrant.

The amount of bail for misdemeanor traffic offenses is set forth in the Idaho Misdemeanor Criminal Rules. A defendant entering a plea of not guilty to a misdemeanor traffic citation charge may have a trial before a judge or jury. A trial before the judge is a relatively informal procedure if the defendant is not represented by an attorney. The prosecuting attorney is representing the law enforcement agency that issued the citation.

Trial by jury always involves a prosecutor for the state, and the defendant is advised, although not required, to be represented by an attorney. Once a penalty is imposed, the defendant remains in the custody of the court until fines and court costs have been paid. If a defendant is able to pay the fine but refuses to pay, the defendant can be incarcerated in the county jail until fines and costs are satisfied at the rate of $5 per day. Many courts offer defendants the opportunity to perform community service work in lieu of payment of fines.

6. What is a infraction?

Minor traffic offenses in Idaho are called infractions. Common infractions are speeding, not wearing a seat belt, failure to yield, and failure to signal. An infraction is not a crime but is a civil public offense for which there is a maximum penalty and for which there can be no jail time imposed.

The Supreme Court has established by court rule a fixed penalty schedule for infraction violations. The fixed penalties cannot be increased, decreased, suspended, or withheld by any court. The penalty is more in the nature of a fee, and the fixed penalty is not a criminal fine. Because an infraction is not a crime, a defendant may never be arrested for an infraction and may never be required to post bail.

Because an infraction is civil in nature, if a defendant does not appear on an infraction citation, the driver cannot be prosecuted for a misdemeanor for failure to appear. Instead, if the defendant fails to appear on an infraction citation, default judgment can be entered against the driver in the same manner as in any other civil action. Also because the infractions are civil in nature, the defendant is not entitled to a trial by jury.

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1. What is arsenic?

Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.

2. What is arsenic used for?

Approximately 90% of industrial arsenic in the U.S. is currently used as a wood preservative, but arsenic is also used in the following:

• Drugs
• Dyes
• Metals
• Paints
• Semi-conductors
• Soaps

Agricultural applications, mining, and smelting also contribute to arsenic releases in the environment.

3. What are arsenic's health effects?

Some people who drink water containing arsenic well in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer. This health effects language is not intended to catalog all possible health effects for arsenic. Rather, it is intended to inform consumers of some of the possible health effects associated with epichlorohydrin in drinking water when the MCLG for arsenic is zero.

The Environmental Protection Agency has set this level of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems. Based on the MCLG, the Environmental Protection Agency has set an enforceable regulation for arsenic, called a MCL, at 0.010 milligrams per liter or 10 ppb. MCLs are set as close to the health goals as possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies.

The Arsenic and Clarifications to Compliance and New Source Contaminants Monitoring Final Rule, the regulation for arsenic, became effective in 2002. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency to periodically review and revise contaminants, if appropriate, based on new scientific data. The regulation for arsenic will be included in a future review cycle.

4. How does arsenic get into my drinking water?

The major sources of arsenic in drinking water are erosion of natural deposits, runoff from orchards, and runoff from glass and electronics production wastes.

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1. What is nitrate?

Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units which combine with various organic and inorganic compounds.

2. What is nitrate used for?

The greatest use of nitrates is as a fertilizer. Once taken into the body, nitrates are converted to nitrites.

3. What are nitrate's health effects?

Infants below six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. 

This health effects language is not intended to catalog all possible health effects for nitrate. Rather, it is intended to inform consumers of some of the possible health effects associated with nitrate in drinking water when the rule was finalized.

4. What are the Environmental Protection Agency's drinking water regulations for nitrate?

In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. This law requires EPA to determine the level of contaminants in drinking water at which no adverse health effects are likely to occur. These non-enforceable health goals, based solely on possible health risks and exposure over a lifetime with an adequate margin of safety, are called maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG). Contaminants are any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substances or matter in water.

The MCLG for nitrate is 10 milligrams per liter or 10 ppm. EPA has set this level of protection based on the best available science to prevent potential health problems. EPA has set an enforceable regulation for nitrate, called a maximum contaminant level (MCL), at 10 milligrams per liter or 10 ppm. MCLs are set as close to the health goals as possible, considering cost, benefits and the ability of public water systems to detect and remove contaminants using suitable treatment technologies. In this case, the MCL equals the MCLG, because analytical methods or treatment technology do not pose any limitation.

The Phase II Rule, the regulation for nitrate, became effective in 1992. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to periodically review the national primary drinking water regulation for each contaminant and revise the regulation, if appropriate. EPA reviewed nitrate as part of the Six Year Review and determined that the 10 milligrams per liter or 10 ppm MCLG and 10 milligrams per liter or 10 ppm MCL for nitrate are still protective of human health.

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1. What is the charge for the chipper request?

A non-refundable fee of $20 is charged for this service.

2. What are the rules for having my branches chipped?

The rules for having your branches chipped are:

• REMOVED trees measuring more than six inches (6”) in diameter at the base of the tree will NOT be accepted for chipping.
  1. Trees removed by a contractor will NOT be accepted for chipping.
  2. Limbs and brush more than three inches (3”) in diameter will not be accepted for chipping.
  3. Limbs must be placed with butt ends to street or alley and within six feet (6’) of the street or alley to be accessible to the city crews.
  4. All branches must be piled in one area.
  5. City crews will chip branches/tree limbs as workloads permit and subject to the availability of appropriate equipment.

3. What is the charge for the overnight truck request?

A non-refundable fee of $30 is Charged for this service.

4. What items are not allowed to be placed on the truck?

The following items are not allowed on city trucks:

• Appliances
• Batteries
• Chemicals
• Commercial trash
• Construction
• Drywall
• Lumber with nails or any kind of hardware
• Shingles
• Tires
• Paint