A Firework Control Zone is a designated area within a local authority boundary in which it is a criminal offence for a member of the public to ignite a firework.
This includes fireworks ignited on private property such as a garden.
Firework Control Zones will not prevent:
- a public firework display run by professional operators
- organised events
- the use of Category F1 fireworks such as:
- sparklers
- indoor fireworks
- party poppers
Zones must be evidence-based, limited solely to areas, dates and times where it can make a difference, and require an extensive consultation process. They are not intended to be the only solution to firework issues, and will only be considered if other prevention and enforcement methods have not worked.
If a local authority and local partners decide a Firework Control Zone is needed, it should be used together with other prevention and enforcement measures to work as effectively as possible.
Existing approaches and tools used by the local authority to deal with fireworks issues are:
- community engagement and awareness raising
- enforcement activities
- engaging with young people
- targeted use of Police or Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- retailer compliance checks
Firework Control Zones in East Ayrshire
There are currently no designated Firework Control Zones in East Ayrshire. Any future zones will be published on this webpage if they are approved.
Who can request a Firework Control Zone
Requests for a Firework Control Zone can only be submitted by a:
- community of residents (20 signatures)
- welfare group
- community council
- group of people with similar interests, such as a sports club or faith group
Requests from individuals will not be considered.
Community of residents
A community of residents is defined as 20 supporting signatures. Each supporting application must provide their name, address and telephone number.
Supporting applicants:
- may be contacted by us in relation to the application
- must be residents within the area which the Firework Control Zone is being proposed
Requests which do not provide details of all supporting applicants will not be processed.
Applying on behalf of a community of residents
Please note if you are applying on behalf of a community of residents:
- a lead applicant must be designated
- we will only notify the lead applicant on the progress and outcome of the request
- lead applicants are also required for community councils and groups
How to request a Firework Control Zone
To request an application form, please email licensing@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.
Information required for a community request
The community request must include:
- the reason for the proposed new Firework Control Zone, or for changing or removing an existing zone
- the proposed boundaries of the zone
- the start and end dates when the zone should be in effect
- evidence demonstrating a problem that a zone can resolve
Requests should also be supported by specific concerns, which may include:
- misuse of fireworks, such as anti-social behaviour, attacks on individuals or emergency workers, noise disturbance
- injuries caused by fireworks, for example frequency and severity
- animal welfare concerns, for example stress, injuries, effects on livestock
- impact on vulnerable individuals, for example people with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assistance dog users
- environmental concerns, for example air pollution, litter from spent fireworks
How community requests are reviewed
A review group made up of relevant partner agencies will assess each request and decide whether it is viable and enforceable.
If a request is approved, the formal process consultation process with the local community and partners will begin. It should be noted that the approval of the request does not mean a zone will automatically be designated, a full statutory consultation is still required.
Consultation
If the consultation supports a zone being accepted, a proposal will be developed and consulted with:
- people who live or work in the proposed zone
- the wider local community in or near the proposed zone
- any other individuals or organisations the local authority considers to have a connection, interest or likely to be affected by the proposed zone
If your request is approved
If the request is approved, a minimum notice of 60 days is required before the zone can come into effect. To allow zones to be in place by 15 October 2026, final proposals must be published by 14 August 2026.
If your request is refused
If the request is refused at the application stage, we will provide the reason why.
Applicants then have 28 days to request a review and will be advised of the required changes. Please note that if a request is refused, no further requests covering the same or similar geographical area can be made for 12 months.
Deadline for submitting a request
Requests must be submitted no later than 10 April 2026 for Firework Control Zones which are required to be operational by 15 October 2026.
All requests will be acknowledged within five working days of receipt.
Regardless of the outcome, all reports will include:
- a summary of responses
- an analysis of responses received
- an analysis of respondents
- the Council’s reason for the decision taken
How to appeal
If you wish to appeal a decision, email our Licensing Service using the contact information below. Your appeal should include:
- name, address, contact number and e-mail address
- location of proposed Firework Control Zone
- reason for appeal
How to report fireworks concerns
Although individuals cannot submit community requests, they can report fireworks‑related antisocial behaviour to Police Scotland by telephoning 101 or 999, depending on how serious the situation is.
Concerns about underage sales, unsafe storage, unlicensed trading and illegal fireworks can be reported to our Trading Standards Service.
Enforcement responsibilities
The Police are responsible for enforcing offences in a Firework Control Zone.
Legislative background
The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gives councils a new discretionary power to introduce Firework Control Zones.
Guidance on Firework Control Zones for Local Authorities was issued by the Scottish Government on 22 June 2023.
East Ayrshire Council oversees the process for considering and designating Firework Control Zones. The introduction of these new zones are not intended to cover the whole local authority area, but form part of a suite of measures to tackle firework issues.
It is an offence to use a firework within a designated zone, or to knowingly or recklessly throw a lit firework into one. These offences are enforced by Police Scotland.