If you want to display wild animals to the public for 7 or more days a year in any place that’s not a circus or pet shop, you will need to apply for a zoo licence.
You need to read and understand the requirements set out on this page before you submit an application for a zoo licence. We cannot proceed with your application unless you give us all the information we need.
Zoo licence applications follow a two-stage process and applicants must complete both of these steps. Select a topic below to find out what you have to do.
At least two months before making an application for a zoo licence, you must give notice of your intention to operate a zoo using our online form.
You must also:
Please keep a copy of the newspapers, as these must be attached to your formal application.
Two months after you have given notice of your intention to operate a zoo, you can make a formal application.
To make a formal application, you will need to provide several supporting documents and details:
You will also need to pay the new application fee.
You can find prices and fees for zoo licences by selecting a topic below.
| Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Notice of intention fee | £125 |
| New application fee (payable at time of formal application - inclusive of Notice of intention fee) | £1,887 |
| Annual maintenance fee (payable each year for the period of the licence) | £873 |
| Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Renewal application fee (payable at time of renewal application) | £1,669 |
| Annual maintenance fee (payable each year for the period of the licence) | £873 |
All new zoo licences we grant will be valid for four years.
All renewed zoo licences will be valid for six years.
When you are sure you are able to provide all the information we need, submit an application using our online forms:
If you want to renew your existing zoo licence, you must complete our online renewal form:
Select a topic below to find out more about zoo licences.
Once we receive your initial notice of intention to open a zoo, along with the notice fee, we will arrange for a Licensing Officer to visit you to inspect the premises.
Once we receive your formal application, we will inform the following:
When considering an application, we will take into account any representations made by or on behalf of:
If part of the zoo is not situated in the area, we will also consult the planning authority for the relevant area.
We will also consider the inspector's report, consult the applicant about conditions they feel should be attached to the licence, and will arrange a second inspection with at least 28 days' notice.
We will not grant a zoo licence if we feel that any of the following conditions apply:
We will also reject any applications where any person affiliated with the proposed zoo has been convicted of any offence involving the ill-treatment of animals. This includes:
Tacit consent applies. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us within 100 days.
To appeal against a decision, email Licensing Services at: licensing@bathnes.gov.uk
We have made the information on these web pages as comprehensive as possible. However, in attempting to simplify the law, certain requirements have been omitted. Full details of what you must do are in the relevant legislation.
Laws can and do change. We must advise that only the Courts can give an authoritative opinion on statute law.
If you think a zoo operator is breaking the terms of their licence and you want to make a complaint, please complete our online form
We have a legal duty to protect the public funds we administer. As a result, we may use the information you have provided on your application form within this authority for the prevention and detection of fraud.
We may also share this information with other bodies administering or in receipt of public funds solely for these purposes.
For further information, please visit our National Fraud Initiative page or email our Information and Governance Team at information_governance@bathnes.gov.uk