It’s something most people wouldn’t know exists – until you get a $160 ticket placed on your vehicle.
But parking, or specifically no parking in most areas of the waterfront in Cobourg is being strictly enforced at night.
That’s right – from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. there is strictly no parking for anytime period for most areas of the marina and harbour.
Going for a leisurely walk under the moon – forget it.
Had one too many at a local establishment – call a tow or if it exceeds $160, leave your vehicle.
Although it’s something that has been in the Parking Regulation By-Law since 2022, it seems it hasn’t been enforced until recently.
From January 1 to August 29, 2025 Municipal By-Law Officers have issued 97 tickets.
At $160.00 apiece it amounts to over $15,000.
Lot – Division Street – 12 tickets
Lot – Esplanade East – 30 tickets
Lot – Esplanade West – 12 tickets
Lot – Marina – 43 tickets
And a number of people who have been ticketed contacted Today’s Northumberland are nothing short of livid.
One person said they just wanted to go for a walk shortly after midnight under a full moon. It was a beautiful summers night. The person didn’t live in the area of the marina, so naturally drove down.
After a short walk he came back and was shocked to see the ticket on his windshield.
The Town of Cobourg states that overnight parking at the Cobourg waterfront is available only within the East Beach parking area, the Marina Parking Lot and the Esplanade. Previously, overnight parking at the Marina Lot was permitted only for residents or visitors who purchased a Cobourg Marina seasonal boat launch pass. This summer, overnight parking at the Marina Lot was expanded to include those who had any seasonal parking permit, Resident/Visitor/Launch. Overnight parking is permitted in the Esplanade with the Monthly Resident Overnight Parking Permit.
Further, information regarding no overnight parking is available on the Parking website, and the town also issues out an annual reminder each year that specifies this.
Section 6 of the Parking By-law speaks to parking prohibitions: It states:
In addition to the prohibitions contained in Section 6(1 ), no person shall park a Vehicle Overnight between the hours of 11 :00 P.M. and 6:00 a.m. from Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving Day at the Waterfront in the areas listed within Schedule “H”.
The signage at the waterfront indicates hours of operation are between 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“We recognize there has been some confusion regarding the use of the wording “overnight” Kara Euale Manager of Communications with the Town of Cobourg.
“To better clarify for all residents and guests, the Town of Cobourg will update its website and printed materials to indicate No Parking between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m except by permit.
Annual Reminder: Waterfront Parking Takes Effect Victoria Day Weekend | Town of Cobourg
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
