Licence

Zoo licence (England, Scotland and Wales)

From St Albans City and District Council

How to apply

There is more than one online form available for this licence:

  1. Application for a licence to operate a zoo
  2. Notification to operate a zoo

1. Application for a licence to operate a zoo

What is a zoo? A place where wild animals are kept and the public can visit for more than seven days in any 12 months, whether or not a charge is made Wild animals are animals that aren't normally domesticated in Great Britain. This includes animals from abroad and animals/birds/reptiles that are wild in this country. What should I do if I want to run a zoo? All zoos in Great Britain must be inspected and licensed. Contact the planning department and check if you need planning permission before you submit a notice of intention to apply. We will not consider applications without valid planning permission. Notify us that you are going to apply for a zoo licence - this is a formal process of 'notification of intent' and the notice must also be published in one local and one national newspaper. Please view the Council's website for further details: http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/business/BusinessLicences/animalbusiness/default.aspx

Apply online

2. Notification to operate a zoo

If you wish to operate a zoo in the District you must provide a notice of intention at least two months before the application is submitted. Notify us that you are going to apply for a zoo licence - this is a formal process of 'notification of intent' and it must also be published in one local and one national newspaper. You must provide proof that this has occurred. You are advised to contact us before submitting this notice.

Apply online

The issuing authority for this licence is St Albans City and District Council (change location)

You can contact them using the details below.

Civic Centre
St Peter's Street

St Albans
AL1 3JE