The Town of Cobourg’s Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing Services (MLELS) has released its 2025 annual report, detailing enforcement activities, service trends and key initiatives from the past year.
The department, responsible for enforcing 34 town by-laws and administering a range of licences and permits, works to enhance health, safety, consumer protection and livability for residents.
In 2025, the department continued its mix of reactive and proactive enforcement, responding to complaints while undertaking targeted initiatives such as utility pole sign control, property audits and waste-related enforcement. Officers also implemented new provisions under the administrative monetary penalty system for itinerant vendors, boulevard obstructions, anti-idling and snow and ice controls. Expanded work hours and staffing adjustments moved the department closer to a full-time enforcement model, intended to serve residents more effectively.
Calls for service in 2025 reflected community use patterns and town priorities. Property-related calls remained prominent, with continued enforcement of minimum health and safety standards. Parking enforcement activities resulted in thousands of tickets and penalties, while animal-related service calls and licensing inspections also remained active areas of work. Performance measures tied to service level agreements outline expected response and resolution times across by-law categories.
The report underscores ongoing collaboration with internal partners such as Planning, Public Works, Community Services and external agencies including police and fire services, particularly in responding to encampments and nuisance issues. Public information sessions on short-term rental licensing and engagement around future regulatory changes were also delivered.
Looking ahead to 2026, the department plans to build on its proactive enforcement projects, adopt new permitting software and support community input on licensing and rental regulations, all part of efforts to maintain quality of life as Cobourg continues to grow.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
