SAVANNAH — Backyard chickens, bees and other creatures could soon be legal residents in Chatham County near Georgia’s coast.

The Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission this week approved a zoning ordinance amendment regarding the animals. It would allow homeowners in unincorporated parts of the county to keep a limited number of chickens, bees and other livestock on their property regardless of zoning classification.

The change now goes before the Chatham County Commission for possible approval at its next meeting on Sept. 7.

If the ordinance is approved, chickens like those kept by celebrity chef Paula Deen of Wilmington Island will be legal residents.