Licence - Zoo

The Council Health and Safety department works in close partnership with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)  (external link) on all aspects of zoo licensing.

The licensing of zoos is a specialist field and the regulations are complex. If you are thinking of setting up a zoo, it is recommended that you contact a specialist officer first for advice and guidance on the details above.

The authority must consult the police, fire authority, governing body of any national institute concerned with zoos, adjoining authority if the zoo overlaps the area of that authority and any person wishing to object on grounds of alleged injurious effect on the health or safety of persons living in the area.

The authority must arrange an inspection by a consultant inspector from the list of suitable inspectors nominated by the Secretary of State.  The current cost of a licence is £35 per hour inspection fee plus a Vet's fee.

 

Applying for a licence (new and existing Zoos)

The local authority cannot consider an application unless at least two months notice of the application has been given, plus publication of details in a local and national newspaper, and a notice placed at the site.

 

Initial notification of intention to apply for a zoo licence

• Notice to the press (53kb)
• Notice to the local authority (59kb)

Application forms

• Application for a new licence  (67kb)
• Application to renew an existing licence  (58kb)

 

Useful information available to applicants:

• Information about the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment) (Englandand Wales) Regulations 2002)

Available from your Local Authority who are responsible for administering the Act or from Defra at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/index.htm  (external link) or 0117 372 8209.

• Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice

Available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/index.htm  (external link)  or from your Local Authority who are responsible for administering the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (as amended).  A limited number of hard copies are still available from Defra.

• Government Circular Guidance 02/2003 on the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002)

Available at  www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/zoo.htm#circular  (external link)

Alternatively hard copies can be obtained by contacting:

Zoo Licensing Policy Team
DEFRA
1/16
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB

Tel: 0117 372 8209
E-mail: zoos.branch@defra.gsi.gov.uk

• Zoos Forum Handbook

Hard copies of available chapters can be obtained from Defra at the above address (while stocks last) electronic versions can be downloaded from http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/zoosforum/index.htm.  (external link)

For further information on any of the above please contact us on 01244-402325, or via email: healthandsafety@chester.gov.uk.