Cobourg, ON (March 31, 2025) – The Town of Cobourg would like to notify residents of appeals submitted to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) regarding Zoning Amendment By-Law No. 007 – 2025 (“By-law No. 007-2025”).

At the February 26, 2025, Regular Council meeting, Council passed By-Law No. 007–2025 to amend the Comprehensive Zoning By-law to define and create provisions specific to short term rental accommodations (“STRA’s”). By-law No. 007-2025 permits STRA uses in select zones within the Town of Cobourg.

By-law No. 007-2025 outlines three classes of STRA’s which would be permitted, in different zones across the Town. By-law No. 007-2025 also includes parking requirements for STRA’s and clarifies provisions related to home occupations and other accommodation uses.

Impacts to Short-Term Rental Accommodations Licencing
By-law No. 007-2025 was proposed as a tool to authorize the operation of STRA’s within the Town of Cobourg. Because the STRA Licensing By-law (By-Law No. 006-2025) relies on the Council-approved amendments to the Zoning By-law, the Licensing By-law cannot be operationalized until appeals to By-law No. 007-2025 have been dealt with through the OLT.

Due to appeals of By-law No. 007-2025, STRA’s continue to be a prohibited use in the Town.

Next Steps
The Town of Cobourg continues to work collaboratively with STRA operators to help navigate the STRA licensing program. To ensure businesses can operate at the earliest date, the Town is moving ahead with its educational initiatives. The following information sessions are scheduled to provide an overview of the licensing program and to address questions operators have.

• April 7, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D’Arcy Street
• April 10, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Virtual Session
• April 14, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Citizens Forum, Victoria Hall, 55 King Street West

The Town recommends STRA operators prepare and submit their licensing application, however, the Town will not be permitted to grant licences until the OLT decision is made. Should the OLT decision not be in favour of the Town, further delays to the legalization and licensing of STRA’s are expected. STRA operators who choose to operate STRA’s in the interim, could be subject to enforcement action should a complaint be submitted against their property.

For questions about the STRA licensing program, please contact Municipal Law Enforcement and Licensing staff at
T: 905-372-8380
E: licensing@cobourg.ca