A request to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore has been knocked back by South Ayrshire Council.
The authority's leader, Peter Henderson, has turned down calls to lower flags at County Buildings to half mast.
The SNP councillor said the public had "already shown their appreciation nationally" and any such move for Captain Tom would not take place in Ayr.
The council's Conservative Group had requested the flags be lowered as a mark of respect on the day of the war veteran's funeral.
He raised more than £32 million for NHS charities during lockdown with laps of his back garden last year in an effort which captured imaginations around the world.
President Joe Biden was among those to pay tribute following the 100-year-old's death last week.
Cllr Henderson told the Ayrshire Post: "While appreciating the contribution of Sir Tom, it is also the case that sadly many local individuals who have contributed to society often raising large funds and benefiting the community, have also died recently."
The South Ayrshire leader said council protocols dictate that flags could only be lowered for "national and international persons and prominent people with a significant link to South Ayrshire."
He added: "There is no significant link to South Ayrshire that I am aware of and not to similarly recognise those many local people who have contributed, would, I feel show disrespect and not be in compliance with our established protocols.
"It is also worth noting the council at the appropriate time are looking at ways to recognise those locally who have sadly died and those who have contributed to tackling the pandemic in South Ayrshire.
"I do hope that the public will recognise the reasons regarding our decision."
Conservative group leader, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: "I am saddened by this decision but unfortunately not surprised."
