KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk Police Department is reminding residents that there’s a new fireworks ordinance in town.

Voters in the town approved an ordinance prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on June 13, in an overwhelming 1,198 to 464 vote.

The ordinance prohibits consumer fireworks on any public beach, park or street, the Kennebunk Police Department said in a release on Wednesday.

The ordinance does, however, allow for two permits per household throughout the year, in addition to permits that may be issued on July 4 and Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. both days to 12:30 a.m. the following days.

Kennebunk Police said their primary goal is to educate residents on the new ordinance, but will take enforcement action if necessary.

For renters, permission of the landowner must be granted prior to obtaining a permit. The ordinance and state law prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from possessing consumer fireworks.

Any fireworks display must be at least 20 feet from any building.

Previously, Kennebunk was one of 13 York County communities without an ordinance pertaining to the possession or use of fireworks.

Town Manager Michael Pardue said in March the new regulations were proposed shortly after July 4, 2016, when residents approached the selectmen about noise and safety concerns, even though firework complaints have declined in the town every year since the pyrotechnics were legalized under Maine state law in 2012.

In 2012, the town received around 75 complaints. As of March, it has only received about 18 complaints. No injuries related to fireworks have been reported in the town since fireworks were legalized.

Currently, Kennebunk allows the sale, purchase and use of consumer fireworks pursuant to state regulation. Those regulations prohibit the explosion of missile-type rockets, bottle and sky rockets and aerial spinners.

Sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns or floating lanterns, are prohibited by state law.

Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Wells, Eliot and North Berwick all have partial bans on fireworks, meaning residents in those communities may possess fireworks, but they are not allowed to buy or set them off.

Biddeford, Ogunquit and York are the only York County municipalities that ban both possession and use of fireworks.

Permits to display fireworks may be requested through Kennebunk Fire Rescue Central Station at 1 Summer St. Any questions pertaining to consumer fireworks may be emailed to fireworks@kennebunkmaine.us, or by calling the station at 604-1354.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.