The district was created in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which established a two-tier structure of local government across mainland Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts.

[2] The area is still covered by the North East Fife (UK Parliament constituency).

The first election to the district council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 16 May 1975.

[4] The building had been built in 1817 as the county's sheriff court and meeting place for the Commissioners of Supply which preceded the county council.

It had then served as the headquarters of Fife County Council between 1890 and 1975, with a large extension to the east being added in 1925.