SACO — The city of Saco is updating its zoning and it wants your input.

The city has developed a public survey, which can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SacoZoningSurvey. The survey is available online until Jan. 18.

Local zoning laws regulate how property can and cannot be used in specific areas of a municipality.

Several amendments have been made over the years, but the city’s zoning hasn’t had a comprehensive update since 1985, said Director of Planning and Development Denise Clavette.

City officials are looking to completely revise the zoning so that it better reflects the needs of the community now and into the future, and it is more aligned with the recently updated city comprehensive plan.

“It’s going to be a whole new document,” said Clavette.

The public survey questions cover topics such as preferred type of residential development, types of businesses desired in the downtown and on Route 1, and satisfaction of mix of uses in the downtown area.

City Marketing and Communications Director Emily Roy said on Thursday that there were close to 600 responses, but city officials are hoping to get more input. Input is sought from full time residents, seasonal residents, business owners, property owners, and those who work in the city.

“For any project like this public engagement is critical,” said Roy, as the city wants to make sure it reflects the wants and needs of the community.

Public input is so important to city officials that City Administrator Kevin Sutherland announced publicly at Monday night’s City Council meeting that he will jump in the ocean in January if the city gets 1,000 responses.

The input from the survey will help identify topics of discussion for a public workshop at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Peoples Choice Credit Union. Those interested in attending the workshop should email [email protected] or call 282-4191.

—Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or email [email protected].