Zoo Licences

Establishments where wild animals are kept for exhibition to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on more than seven days in any period of twelve consecutive months require licensing.

The Zoo Licensing Act was in 1981 and came into force in 1984. The Act requires the inspection and licensing of all zoos in Great Britain. The Act aims to ensure that, where animals are kept in caged surroundings, they are provided with a suitable environment to provide an opportunity to express most normal behaviour. Zoos must comply with both the provisions of the Act, and with the requirements set out in the Secretary of State's standards of modern zoo practice.

Responsibility for the day to day operation of the licensing system rests with local authorities. The licensing and other executive functions of the Act are carried out by District Councils (usually the Environmental Health Department). The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has responsibility for maintaining a list of zoo inspectors and setting detailed standards for zoo management with which zoos are expected to comply.

The Secretary of State has a two-part list of inspectors that he can call on to inspect the zoos. The first part contains names of veterinary surgeons and veterinary practitioners who have experience of zoo animals. The second part lists persons who are competent (in the Secretary of the State's opinion) to inspect animals in zoos, to advise on their welfare and to advise on general zoo management issues. Inspectors' expenses are paid by the licensing authority, and recharged to the owner of the zoo.

What Does it Cover?

A zoo is defined in the Act as being 'an establishment where wild animals are kept for exhibition ... to which members of the public have access, with or without charge for admission, on more than seven days in any period of twelve consecutive months.

The wide scope of this definition means that licensed zoos range from traditional urban zoos and safari parks to small specialist collections such as butterfly houses and aquaria. The Act recognises this wide range of establishments by allowing dispensations to be granted for small zoos. Dispensations for these types of collection are purely to reduce the number of inspectors to a reasonable level for a small establishment, and do not in any way weaken a zoo's obligation to achieve the levels of animal welfare and modern public safety set out in the Secretary of State's standards. The Act does not extend to circuses, or to pet shops, both of which are covered by other (Home Office) legislation.

Local Zoos

There are no zoos in the Gedling area but should you wish to discuss any connected matter or wish to have an application form sent to you please contact Customer Services (our main licensing page contains full contact details). We hope to have a downloadable version of the new application forms on this page in the near future.

Fees and Conditions

The licence may be subject to fees, and conditions to ensure the proper conduct of the zoo. At least two months before making an application for a licence, the applicant must give notice in writing (including by electronic means) to the local authority of their intention to make the application. The notice must identify:

the zoo's location
the types of animals and approximate number of each group kept for exhibition on the premises and the arrangements for their accommodation, maintenance and wellbeing
the approximate numbers and categories of staff to be employed in the zoo
the approximate number of visitors and motor vehicles for which accommodation is to be provided
the approximate number and position of access to be provided to the premises
how required conservation measures will be implemented at the zoo

Notice of the Application

At least two months before making the application, the applicant must also publish notice of that intention in one local newspaper and one national newspaper and exhibit a copy of that notice. The notice must identify the location of the zoo and state that the application notice to the local authority is available to be inspected at the local authority offices.

When considering an application the local authority will take into account any representations made by or on behalf of:

the applicant
the chief officer of police (or in Scotland the chief constable) in the relevant area
the appropriate authority - this is either the enforcing authority or relevant authority in whose area the zoo will be situated
the governing body of any national institution concerned with the operation of zoos
where part of the zoo is not situated in the area of the local authority with power to grant the licence, a planning authority for the relevant area (other than a county planning authority) or, if the part is situated in Wales, the local planning authority for the area in which it is situated
any person alleging that the zoo would affect the health or safety of people living in the neighbourhood
anyone stating that the zoo would affect the health or safety of anyone living near it
any other person whose representations might show grounds on which the authority has a power or duty to refuse to grant a licence

Grant or Refusal

Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, the local authority will consider any inspectors' reports based on their inspection of the zoo, consult the applicant about any conditions they propose should be attached to the licence and make arrangements for an inspection to be carried out. At least 28 days notice of the inspection shall be provided by the local authority.

The local authority will not grant the licence if they feel that the zoo would adversely affect the health or safety of people living in near it, or seriously affect the preservation of law and order or if they are not satisfied that appropriate conservation measures would be satisfactorily implemented.

An application may also be refused if:

the local authority are not satisfied that accommodation, staffing or management standards are suitable for the proper care and wellbeing of the animals or for the proper conduct of the zoo
the applicant, or if the applicant is an incorporated company, the company or any of the company's directors, managers, secretaries or other similar officers, or a keeper in the zoo, has been convicted of any offence involving the ill-treatment of animals

Applications to renew a licence will be considered no later than six months before the expiry of the existing licence, unless a shorter time period is allowed by the local authority.

The Secretary of State, after consulting the local authority, may direct them to attach one or more conditions to a licence.

The local authority 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 direction should be made that that a licence is not required.

If the applicant is refused a licence, they may appeal to a magistrates' court or in Scotland to the sheriff within 28 days from the date on which the applicant receives written notification of the refusal.

Licence Holder Redress Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.

A licence holder may appeal to a Magistrates' court against:

any condition attached to a licence or any variation or cancellation of a condition
the refusal to approve the transfer of a licence
a zoo closure direction
enforcement steps relating to any unmet condition

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.