Skip to content

Zoo Licence

Date updated: 12/02/2026

The Zoo Licensing Act 1981 requires the inspection and licensing of all zoos in Great Britain. The Act aims to ensure that, where animals are kept in enclosures, they are provided with a suitable environment to provide an opportunity to express most normal behaviour.

A zoo licence is required if wild animals are displayed to the public for at least 7 days a year. An animal is defined as any multi-cellular organism that is not a plant or fungus. Animals of wild species are those not normally domesticated in Great Britain.

Initially, licences are granted for 4 years and then are renewable every 6 years. The Act also requires, that, at least twice during the term of the licence, an inspection must be carried out by an Inspector appointed for that purpose by the Secretary of State.

Conditions

To get a licence the 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

The zoo must also do at least 1 of the following:

  • conservation research or training
  • sharing conservation information
  • captive animal breeding
  • helping repopulate or reintroduce species into the wild

The zoo must not affect:

  • the health and safety of local people
  • local law and order
  • the animals’ well-being

Apply for a license 

To apply for a zoo license you must contact your local council. Find your local council - GOV.UK

Write to your council with at least 2 months' notice before applying. 

You must give details about: 

  • where the zoo will be
  • what kind of animals you’re going to keep and how many
  • how you’ll house and care for the animals
  • staff numbers and what they’ll be doing
  • expected visitor and vehicle numbers
  • zoo entrance and exit points
  • how you’ll meet the conservation conditions

You must also: 

  • publish notice that you’re intending to apply in at least 1 local and 1 national newspaper
  • display the notice at the planned zoo site
  • send a copy to the council

Zoo inspection 

Before you get your licence your premises will be inspected. You may have to pay a fee for this.

You’ll get at least 28 days’ notice before the inspection.

After the inspection the council might attach conditions to your licence, eg that you’ll need to get insurance for any damage caused by the animals.

If you get a licence you’ll be inspected regularly to make sure you’re following these conditions.

Under contract, the City of London animal welfare services team carry out inspections on behalf of local authorities across London and the Home Counties.

Related links