More Waterford Township residents are interested in keeping chickens in their backyards.

Jeffrey Polkowski, the township’s community planning and development director, said he’s seen a sharp increase in the last two years from five years ago, when requests came once or twice a year.

This year, 10 people have applied to the planning commission to keep chickens, said Zoning Administrator Justin Daymon. Of five with planning commission dates, two requests were approved, one was denied and two more will be considered on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Daymon and Polkowski can’t say how many residents have backyard chickens, because people often don’t realize they need to get the township’s permission if the animals are kept on land less than five acres. Roosters are barred from residential areas. The township’s ordinance considers chickens to be small livestock, as are ducks, quail or other animals such as chinchillas.

People keep backyard chickens for several reasons, such as part of a more-sustainable lifestyle, knowing the source of their eggs or as a family hobby.

More communities are permitting backyard chickens. Detroit approved a chicken ordinance last month. Royal, Ferndale and Troy also allow backyard flocks. But not all communities approve.In September, Bloomfield Township won a three-year court battle with a couple who wanted to keep backyard chickens.

Waterford officials typically learn about backyard chickens after a neighbor calls code enforcement to complain about noise, waste smells or signs of rodents. Code enforcement officials investigate and will ticket the birds’ owners. The owners have the option of getting rid of the flock or asking for the planning commission’s approval.

Of the requests this year, Daymon said. “I think only one didn’t originate from a special enforcement complaint.”

Waiting until a neighbor complains can lead to heartbreak, Polkowski said. In September, a Shoman Street family applied to keep 12 chickens — a gift to their seven children — and four ducks. The planning commission considered approving the request and limiting the family to a total of 12 birds. The township’s general but unwritten rule encourages a limit of six backyard chickens. The motion failed on a 2-to-4 vote. The family had to get rid of all the chickens and ducks.

On Tuesday, the township will consider two requests: One in the 300 block of Tull Drive; the other in the 6300 block of Grace K Drive.

Polkowski said anyone considering chickens will improve their chances by taking a few steps before bringing home any small livestock:

• Speak to your neighbors first before going to the planning commission. Talk about how many animals would be appropriate. If you’re planning on 10, for example, you may find the neighbors prefer a smaller number, he said. You may be able to negotiate a compromise. The goal is to get neighbors’ support before a planning commission meeting. “It’s hard to imagine the planning commission denying a request that the neighbors support,” he said.

• Seek the planning commission’s approval first rather than asking for forgiveness after bringing small livestock home. “Code enforcement will find out the second a neighbor complains,” Polkowski said.

• Make a waste-management plan so the commissioners know how you’ll keep the coop and yard sanitary and limit the risk of rats and predators.

• Know rules for coop locations. The township has worksheets online with rules for the size of accessory buildings and the distance they must be from property lines and other structures: https://www.waterfordmi.gov/345/Checklists-Requirements.

• Do your homework. In addition to waste management and figuring out how to keep rodents and predators at bay, chicken owners should learn to spot signs of salmonella and the highly pathogenic avian influenza — bird flu — and take action. The virus can quickly kill a brood of chickens. The state offers two resources: www.michigan.gov/birdflu and small flock biosecurity tips at https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/animals/diseases/avian/avian-influenza#biosecurity-small-flock. Michigan State University also hosts a page with tips and resources: https://cvm.msu.edu/vdl/news/2024/avian-influenza-information-and-resources. MSU’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory is the only one in Michigan authorized to test for bird flu. As for salmonella: 18 Michigan residents were among 334 people in 47 states in a 2018 wave of salmonella in people with backyard chicken flocks.

If a resident discovers a neighbor is keeping chickens illegally, Polkowski said it’s best to call code enforcement at (248) 674-6262 rather than negotiate directly with the neighbor.

Waterford Township’s planning commission meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, to review the agenda for its 6 p.m. meeting in the township hall auditorium, 5200 Civic Center Drive.