Apply for a zoo licence

What is a Zoo?

A 'zoo' is any establishment, other than a circus or pet shop, where animals are kept for public exhibition. All Zoo's must have a licence issued by the Council under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

Before Applying:

• To request a Notice of Intention form or discuss your proposal, please contact the Public Protection Team.
• If your application is for new or purpose-built premises, you must also obtain planning permission before you submit your Notice of Intention.

Notice of Intention:

Before applying, you must give notice at least 2 months in advance. The notice must:

• Be displayed at the proposed zoo site.
• Be published in one local and one national newspaper.

Licence Duration and Fees:

*Additional fees are payable for inspections carried out by a Secretary of State–appointed zoo inspector and any veterinary fees required by DEFRA.

Important: Annual Council inspections and periodic Secretary of State inspections incur separate charges payable by the licence holder.

Inspections:

• **Annual inspections by Council officers.

• **Periodic inspections by Secretary of State–appointed inspectors, including veterinary inspections.

**All inspection costs are charged to the licence holder.

Further Information:

For full guidance, download the Zoo Licence Guidance Document (PDF).

You may also find the following resources helpful:

Zoo Licensing Act 1981 - The main legislation governing the operation and licensing of zoos in the UK.

DEFRA Guidance on Zoo Licensing - Official government guidance explaining the application process, inspection requirements, and welfare standards for zoos.

Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice
The Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice set out the minimum standards for animal welfare, accommodation, and management that all licensed zoos must follow.

The Standards were updated by DEFRA in 2025, with the revised requirements coming into effect from 24 May 2027. All existing and prospective zoo operators are expected to work towards meeting these updated standards to ensure continued compliance once they come into force.

You can view the latest version of the Standards on the GOV.UK website.

Current Applications

You can view all current Notice of Intention submitted to the Council:

View all current applications