Zoo Licences

Licence summary

To run a zoo in England, Scotland and Wales, you need a licence from the Licensing Authority.

The licence will be subject to fees, and if granted conditions to ensure the proper conduct of the zoo.

Eligibility Criteria

At least two months before making an application for a licence, the applicant must give notice in writing (including by electronic means) to the Licensing Authority of their intention to make the application. The notice must be accompanied by the required fee.  The fees list contains the current fee payable for each application type. 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.

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 Licensing Authority is available to be inspected at City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence are available here.  Further information relating to Zoo's is also available via the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Application Evaluation Process

When considering an application the Licensing Authority shall 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);
• 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.

Before granting or refusing to grant the licence, the Licensing Authority shall consider any reports from the Council's authorised officers 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 Licensing Authority.

The Licensing 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 Licensing 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 Licensing Authority.

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

The Licensing 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.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No – It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

Apply

If you wish to apply for a Zoo Licence or to renew and existing licence please contact the Council on 020 7641 8549 or email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If the applicant is refused a licence, they may appeal to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX within 28 days from the date on which the applicant receives written notification of the refusal.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance.

A licence holder may appeal to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX 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.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Any person who wishes to appeal against a decision to close a zoo may apply to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX. Appeals must be made within 28 days of the notice of the Licensing Authority decision.

The council operates a complaints procedure.  To view the complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service you have received please click here.

Other Redress

If there is a concern about noise, pollution, etc please contact Westminster City Council's Environmental Action Line on 020 7641 2000 (24 hrs) or email environmentalactionline@westminster.gov.uk.  Also should any person has a complaint relating to a licensed premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required licence please contact the Council's Licensing Inspectors on 020 7641 3385 or email premiseslicensinginspectorate@westminster.gov.uk.

Trade Associations

British & Irish Association of Zoo & Aquariums