Zoo licence
Information about licensing of zoos
Zoo licence
A zoo licence is required under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 if the following criteria are all met;
1. Animals are on display to the public
2. Animals (including invertebrates) are kept that are not normally domesticated in Great Britain.
3. The premises is open to the public for 7 or more days in any 12 month period.
Section 14 of the Act does allow for dispensations for some zoos, where there may be a reduced licensing regime.
On this page
- Fees
Applying For A Licence
To register your intention to apply for a zoo licence, please contact the Council using eh@winchester.gov.uk and include your full contact details, a list of animals that you propose to keep at the zoo, the address of the zoo. You will also need to provide information required in Section 2 of the Act. You will need to publish your intention to apply for a zoo licence at this stage and all information provided will be available for the public to view.
The Council will work with you at this stage and an application can be made at least 2 months after your notification has been received. The Council will need to undergo consultations at this stage as specified in Section 3 of the Act and will conduct an inspection using a veterinary expert in zoo licensing. If granted, an initial zoo licence will last for 4 years.
To renew an existing zoo licence, simply contact the Council approximately a year before the current licence expires and register your intent to renew the licence. If granted, renewed licences last for 6 years.
Inspections
The inspection regime is complex. To summarise;
1. An initial inspection where a new application has been made will include a veterinary inspector with appropriate knowledge of the species to be kept plus a Council officer. Where the Council considers it necessary, extra Council Officers or veterinary inspectors may be required.
2. Periodical inspections for all licensed zoos will be carried out in the 3rd year of the licence (or in the 1st year for a new zoo) and also at least 6 months before the expiry of the licence. These inspections require 2 inspectors nominated by the Secretary of State, a veterinary inspector nominated by the Council plus 2 Council officers and up to 3 representatives of the zoo (although other members of the zoo staff may be asked to help with the inspection by the inspectors).
3. Informal inspections are carried out on any year in which there is no initial or periodical inspection. A Council officer may be accompanied by colleagues and/or, if they feel it necessary, by a veterinary practitioner or expert.
Following inspections and after receiving the recommendations from the inspectors and consulting with the zoo, the Council will add any agreed directions and conditions to the zoo's licence. Recommendations may also be given to the zoo.
Pre-Inspection Audit
Although it is not an absolute requirement, it is important that the zoo completes a Pre-inspection audit form (which will be supplied by the Council prior to any periodical inspection) and provides supporting information in advance of the inspection to give all inspectors a good introduction to the organisation, functions, conservation measures and methodlogy of the zoo. Although the form and stocklist will be kept on file, any supplementary information will not be held on the Council files unless the zoo requests that it is.
Licence Conditions
All zoo inspections are based on the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice 2012 although it should be noted that these standards are being revised and the new standards will come into force on 24th May 2027.
Fees
There is no set application, licence or inspection fee as such. After each inspection, the zoo will be charged all inspectors' costs including travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred in the course of the inspection, the zoo inspectors' hourly rates and the Council officers' time. Administration time for the Council officers and the inspectors in the preparation, processing and post-inspection paperwork and discussions will also be charged to the zoo.
Appeals
The zoo has a right of appeal and this is detailed in Section 18 of the Act