Zoo licence (England, Scotland and Wales)

What this covers

Apply for a licence to run a Zoo in England, Scotland or Wales; health and safety, animal well-being, inspections, renewals

It applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Other UK nations run their own regimes — check the equivalent for the nation you trade in.

Why you need it

This licence is not an administrative preference — it exists because Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

What the Act carries

These are the duties, penalties and exemptions our graph holds for Zoo Licensing Act 1981 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves. They show what sort of instrument you are dealing with.

Duties on businesses

4

Penalties

1

Exemptions

4

Duties on businesses under the Act

• Give notice of intention to apply for a zoo licence s.2
• Submit and implement an animal welfare plan after zoo closure s.16E
• Comply with any directions issued by the local authority s.19A
• Operate a zoo without a license or breach license conditions s.19

What happens if you get it wrong

• Operate a zoo without a license or breach license conditions Fine up to £2,500

Exemptions that may take you outside it

• Exemption from duplicate inspections within a 12-month period — A periodical inspection (under section 10) is already scheduled within 12 months of the date a licensing inspection is required
• Exemption from Zoo Licensing Act after animal disposal and care is secured — All animals rehomed/disposed of and satisfactory permanent care arrangements confirmed in writing by the local authority
• Small zoos may be exempt from licensing or inspection requirements — Small number of animals or small number of kinds of animals kept in the zoo
• Zoos with valid planning permission exempt from license suspension — Planning permission has been granted or is deemed to be granted

Read our full dossier on Zoo Licensing Act 1981

Who issues it

Your local council issues this, acting as the licensing authority for the area you trade in. Councils apply the same statute but set their own fees, conditions and timescales, so two neighbouring authorities can reach you differently.

Where to apply

Our guidance on this

Everything below is written out in full elsewhere on Guvnor — this page points at it rather than repeating it.

Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.

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