Licence - running a zoo – licence requirements
What sort of authorisation do I need to run a zoo?
If you want to run a zoo in the
Maidstone Borough, or keep any collection of animals or birds for
display to the visiting public, you need a Zoo Licence from
Maidstone Borough Council.
If there are only small numbers of
animals kept in the zoo, or few different kinds of animals, we may
make an exemption so that the premises do not need a licence. If
you have any questions over exemptions, please contact us in the
first instance using the details to the right of this page.
Before applying to run a zoo, you
will need to arrange for the appropriate Planning Consent or Change
of Use Certificate to operate your premises as a zoo. This can be a
long and complex process, and we will not be able to process your
licence application until you are able to include such proof of
consent in your application.
Legal Regulations
The operation of zoos is regulated
under the Zoo
Licensing Act 1981 and overseen by the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Do I need any other licences or permissions?
If you are planning to train,
exhibit or display performing animals at your zoo premises, you
need a separate Performing Animals
Licence from Maidstone Borough Council.
You may also need a Performing Animals licence
if you are offering members of the public access to your animals,
for photos or feeding sessions, etc. Please contact us in the first
instance on 01622 602342 for clarification.
If you are hiring someone to train
and display performing animals at your zoo, but (s)he is not part
of your business, it is his or her responsibility to ensure that
(s)he has the right licence.
You do not need an additional
Dangerous Wild Animal Licence if you are applying for a Zoo
Licence.
How often do I have to renew my licence?
The renewal times differ for new and
established Zoos. A new Zoo Licence must be renewed, with a
complete round of inspections, after the first four years.
Thereafter, assuming there are no problems with the zoo management,
the licence must be renewed every six years. All renewal
applications must be started at least six months before the expiry
of the licence.
A new zoo will have three visits
during its initial four-year licensing period, whereas an existing
zoo will have at least three visits within a six year period, or as
directed by DEFRA. However, this depends on whether the zoo holds
any exemptions. For further clarification, please contact us on
01622 602342.
How much do licences cost?
The licence fee for a new licence,
or a change or renewal of an existing licence is £2,874. This
includes a deposit of £2,150, which will be returned to you if the
total cost of veterinary inspections etc. does not exceed the base
fee of £724. Zoo inspections are made by a veterinary practitioner
specified by DEFRA and by Council officers.
What should I do first?
Before submitting your application
for a new zoo, you must
make a notification that you intend to apply to run a zoo
online. This is free, and must be submitted two months before
you put in your application.
At the same time, you must also
publish a notice in national and local newspapers advertising your
intentions to run a zoo at your premises. A list of suitable local
publications is available online.
You also need to display a copy in a
publicly accessible place at your premises. Please contact us using
the details to the right of this page if you need guidance.
What else do I need to include with my application?
As part of your application, we need
to see evidence that you have:
- A copy of the notice you
published in the local and national papers
- A copy of the notice
advertising your intent posted at your premises
- A full stock list of animals
which you intend to keep and exhibit at your premises, including
species, gender, and numbers of animals
- A detailed plan of your
premises including all relevant features, such as public areas with
access and emergency access, water and electricity infrastructure
etc., and storage areas. If you need any advice on preparing
these plans, please contact us
- A fully annotated plan
showing the accommodation for the animals, including holding
capacity, bedding and exercise areas, areas excluded from public
view, sick bays and nursery areas etc.
- Public Liability Insurance
to the value of at least £5,000,000
- Employer’s Liability
Insurance to the value of at least £5,000,000 to fully cover anyone
working for you
- Your planning certificates
allowing you to use your premises exactly as you intend
We strongly recommend that you arrange appropriate
insurance to fully cover your stock, including any possible
expenditure on veterinary bills in the event of ill-health or
accident.
Apply online
Once you have everything prepared,
you can
apply to run a zoo online. You will be taken to an online
payment facility at the end of your application to pay the fee. All
documents can be attached as scans/electronic copies, or
alternatively, you can post hard copies to:
The Licensing Team, Maidstone House,
King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6JQ.
Alternatively, please contact the
Licensing Team on 01622 602727, and they will post you paper copies
of the forms to fill in and return to us with a cheque for the fee.
Please make cheques payable to Maidstone Borough Council.
You can also
apply to renew your licence to run a zoo online. You must
include documents 3-9 above.
How do I apply to change my licence?
You can
apply to change your licence to run a zoo online. If you have
made any changes to your stock, to your insurances, or to the
layout of your premises, you need to include copies of documents
demonstrating this with your application.
If you are only making minor
administrative changes to your details, please contact us in the
first instance, as there may be no charge.
Any substantial additions or changes to the
layout of your premises may require planning permission. If this is
so, we cannot proceed with your application unless a copy of the
relevant consent is included.
What happens next?
All zoo applications, for new zoos
or to change or renew a licence, take 90 calendar days to process
once everything has been received.
During this time, we recommend you
stay in touch, in case we need further information from you. We
will contact you within 3-8 days of receiving your application to
arrange a pre-inspection visit, which will take place within 10
days of receipt. We will give at least 28 days’ notice of the
official inspection of the premises, once this has been booked.
In the interest of animal welfare and public
safety, you may not operate your business until we have fully
processed and granted your licence. Likewise, for applications to
change or renew your licence, you may not consider your application
successful until we confirm it.All inspections must be carried out
in full before you can proceed
How are zoo licence applications considered?
Further information on the
decision-making process and conditions that may be applied to your
licence is available in our information
sheet.
What happens if there is a problem with my application?
If your application has failed, you
may be able to appeal.
What happens if I want to dispute the outcome of my application
gives information and advice on this.
What do I do if I am concerned about something I have
experienced at a zoo I have visited?
General information for dissatisfied
customers of zoos is also available in the above document
What happens if I want to dispute the outcome of my application
gives information and advice on this.
If you have seen something at a zoo you have
attended which gave you cause for concern over animal welfare or
public safety please contact us immediately using the details to
the right of the screen.