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If you want to operate a zoo to keep wild animals for exhibiting to the public, you will need a licence.
The licence may be subject to fees and conditions to ensure the proper conduct of the zoo. The regulation applicable to this licence is The Zoo Licensing Act 1981.
Before you can apply for a licence, you must give us at least 2 months notice (in writing or by email) of your intention to make the application and advertise that notice.
The notice must identify:
At least 2 months before making the application, you must publish notice of that intention in one local newspaper and one national newspaper and display a copy of the notice. The notice must identify the location of the zoo and state that the application notice is available to be inspected at the council offices.
The fee for a new licence, to renew a licence or for a 3 yearly periodic inspection is £525 plus vet fees.
Please complete this application form for a licence to operate a zoo.
When considering an application, we take into account any representations made by or on behalf of:
Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, we will consider any inspectors' reports based on their inspection of the zoo, consult you about any conditions they propose should be attached to the licence and make arrangements for an inspection to be carried out. We will give you at least 28 days notice of the inspection.
Applications to renew a licence will be considered no later than 6 months before the expiry of the existing licence.
Tacit consent doesn't apply to this licence. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within 28 days, please contact environmental health.
We will not grant a licence if we:
An application may also be refused if:
The Secretary of State, after consulting with us, may direct you to attach one or more conditions to a licence.
We may advise the Secretary of State that, because of the small number of animals kept in the zoo or the small number of the kinds of animal kept there, a dispensation should be made.
If you have been refused a licence, you have 28 days to appeal from the date on which the applicant receives written notification of the refusal.
A licence holder may appeal to a Magistrates' against:
The appeal must be brought within 28 days from the date on which the licence holder receives written notification of the authority's decision as to the relevant matter.