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Licensing of activities involving animals

Zoo licences

Anyone who keeps wild animals for exhibition to the public where the public have access, whether or not they have to pay, on more than seven days during a 12-month period, has to apply for a Zoo licence.

How to apply for a licence

You can download an application form from the link below or request it from and apply for a licence by using these contact details:

North Lanarkshire Council
Protective Services
Station House
950 Old Edinburgh Road 
Bellshill
ML4 3FG

environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk

You can pay the application fee by debit or credit card. Call us on 01236 856361 to arrange this. We will not process applications until we receive the required fee.

Licensing inspection and processing of applications

Unless the zoo has received a dispensation under section 14 of the Zoo licensing Act 1981, the licensing inspections required under section 10(1) are to be carried out by a team of appointed inspectors.

This team will include a council animal health and welfare inspector, along with two specialist inspectors nominated by APHA – Zoo and Circus licensing team, in consultation with us.

The dispensation to have an inspection carried out by a single appointed specialist inspector is usually granted to small Zoos, usually with less than 50 species of animals in exhibition.

You will be responsible for covering the fees of appointed specialist inspectors attending the licensing inspection.

We will contact you to agree a licensing inspection of your premises, following the application and payment of your licensing fees. Details provided to us will be checked for the eligibility criteria.

Your licence will be issued upon completion of a satisfactory licensing inspection that includes a written recommendation from the appointed specialist inspector(s), passing the eligibility criteria and paying all fees.

The initial licence is valid for a period of 4 years from the date of issue. The second licence is valid for a period of 6 years from the date of issue.

It is in the public interest that we consider and process your application before it can be granted. We would expect to process your application within 28 working days. If you have not heard from us within this period, please contact us using the contact details above.

In the event you do not meet the licence conditions or decide not to go ahead, we will continue to seek recovery of all costs incurred. Licence fees are non-refundable. Application fees can be viewed on our Trading Standards webpage.

Zoo Licence Application

Page last updated:
20 Mar 2025

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