Zoo licence

You’ll need a zoo licence if you’ll be displaying wild animals to the public for at least 7 days in a year in any place which is not a circus or pet shop.

If we grant you a licence your first licence will be for 4 years and any renewals will be for 6 years.

Before we grant the licence, we will inspect your zoo along with a veterinary surgeon. You will be liable for any vet fees.

Currently the only zoo in our district is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Arundel.

To get a licence your zoo must:

help educate people about biodiversity
be suitable for the types of animals you’re keeping
have a high standard of animal care
do as much as possible to stop any animals escaping
stop pests and vermin getting into the zoo

You must also do at least one of the following:

conservation research or training
sharing conservation information
captive animal breeding
helping repopulate or reintroduce species into the wild

You may not get a licence if anyone working in or managing the zoo has committed an animal welfare offence.

If you run a zoo without a licence or do not follow the conditions of a licence you can get a fine of up to £2,500.

You can also get a fine of up to £1,000 if you:

stop a zoo inspector doing their job properly
do not display your zoo licence properly

Before you apply for a licence

At least 2 months before you apply for a licence to run a zoo you must:

tell us in writing to us that you intend to apply
publish the notice in one local and one national newspaper
put a copy of the notice at the site of the proposed zoo

To apply for the notification we’ll need the following information:

site/location plan
plan showing the proposed layout of the zoo
planning permission
animal accommodation plan
entrances and exits plan (optional)
stock list (optional)
press notice (optional)
public liability insurance certificate (optional)
employer’s liability certificate (optional)

There is a fee for this service.

You’ll also need a debit or credit card for payment.

Notification to operate a zoo

Apply for a licence

At least 2 months after you submitted the notification you can apply for the licence.

You’ll need to provide copies of the following information:

notice of intention published in the press (at least one national and one local newspaper)
notice of intention displayed at the site (optional)
amended stock list (optional)

There is a fee for this service.

You'll also need a debit or credit card for payment.

Apply for a zoo licence

If we refuse a licence

We must refuse a licence if we believe that you cannot meet the licence conditions.

You have the right of appeal to a first-tier tribunal within 28 days of our decision notice.

Renew a licence

You’ll need to apply for a renewal at least 8 weeks before the expiry of the current licence.

You’ll need to provide copies of the following information:

notice of intention published in the press (at least one national and one local newspaper)
notice of intention displayed at the site (optional)
amended stock list (optional)

You'll also need a debit or credit card for payment.

Renew a zoo licence