POCATELLO — The city of Pocatello has updated its new sign code with the hopes to make the permitting process easier on the community.

The new sign code, which was passed by the Pocatello City Council in November, seeks to clarify common questions that civilians may have when seeking to set up signs.

Assistant planner at the city of Pocatello Jennifer Flynn explained the difference between signs, murals and displays in a letter to the Idaho State Journal in December. She said that signs are “a visual communication device used to convey a message to its viewer for identification, advertisement, or promotion of any establishment, product, good or service, or the interest of any person or entity.”

Murals are designs, displays or representations that are either applied, painted or drawn onto a structure’s exterior and do not function as signs do with the intent to advertise or promote a business. As long as they fall within this definition they do not require a permit.

Displays are most often images or graphics, and if they are in a window, Flynn said, “the coverage of the window may not exceed 50 percent of the window area per building elevation. Window signs will contribute to sign allowance”.

“If a mural or a display does contain text or business logos, then the copy area of that logo or text would be factored into the elevations permitted signage,” she added.

The city also has a new permitting software, eTRAKiT, and encourages those who have yet to create an account to visit tinyurl.com/2h73zhrk to join.

As for those with concerns about electrical signs being too bright during the night, a dimming curfew of 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. is in effect for only Residential and Residential Commercial Professional zones.

“Your efforts in Pocatello to comply with Code standards are genuinely appreciated and contribute to the beauty and enhanced economic vitality of our community,” Flynn said. “Thank you for all that you do.”

For further details about the new sign code, visit Pocatello.gov and search the document center for the Signs Standards PDF. For more information, reach out to Flynn at 208-234-6500.