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

Amend a licence

You can only change the:

  • existing licence holder’s name
  • contact details

There is a fee for this service.

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

Amend a zoo licence