By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Between January and June 2025, the Town of Essex investigated 382 potential by-law violations, of which 161 were based on complaints received from members of the public and/or Council members. The other 221 issues were investigated proactively.
That was up from the 291 potential issues investigated over the last six-months of 2024.
Essex Council learned of the information at the July 21 meeting, when Mike Diemer, By-Law/Property Standards Officer, presented the biannual report on the matter that highlights enforcement conducted among various municipal by-laws. This report focused on the first half of 2025.
He added that of the 382 potential issues, 359 have been resolved and 23 remain actively investigated.
Of the cases, 170 fell under the Property Standards By-Law, with the main offences consisting of tall grass and weeds, and exterior property debris.
The Town received the majority of the complaints through phone with 75, while 52 were received through the online Report a Problem tool, 32 by email, and two in-person.
The By-Law Department conducted investigations on residential, agricultural, and commercial properties throughout the municipality.
“The By-Law Team remains uniform in its enforcement process from the beginning stage of voluntary compliance, to issuing notices of violation, and, in cases of continued non-compliance, serving owners with municipal work orders or POA [Provincial Offences Act] charges.
In terms of potential Short Term Rental (STR) violations, Diemer noted over the first six-months of 2025, five investigations have been launched, none of which have resulted in administrative penalties being issued.
Diemer noted residents are encouraged to use the Report a Problem portal, found at www.essex.ca, to submit concerns to the Town.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais said she believes there should be double the investigations since the Town has a new By-Law Officer. She wondered if By-Law Officers are sent out together to investigations.
Chief Building Officer, Kevin Carter, noted the Town now has one fulltime By-Law Officer and two part-time. If it is known an investigation will require it, such as those that may be hostile, two By-Law Officers will be sent out together.
McGuire-Blais said that during the Essex Fun Fest she saw two By-Law Officers walking together every day throughout the fairgrounds.
“I didn’t think that was a good use [of] time,” she said, wondering if they were called there.
When she questioned them, she claimed they responded to ensure it was in compliance. “I’m not sure why they would be at a Town event to make sure the Town is in compliance,” she said.
Carter noted that parking is an issue at the Essex Fun Fest. He said he purposely has them go to larger events to get exposure to the public for engagement and answer questions.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley asked if parking tickets handed out in Colchester by security were included in the report or if that was separate. Diemer noted his report focused only on tickets issued through the By-Law Department and that the OPP and security down at the harbour also issue parking tickets.
According to the report, there were 161 parking violations.
Shepley said Council has received complaints from those who have received tickets. That is something Council and the community have been asking for, and he appreciated By-Law was out there writing them.
The Clerks Department tracks tickets issued by OPP and security at the Colchester Harbour, Director of Legal and Legislative Services, Joe Malandruccolo, explained.
In answering Councillor Rodney Hammond on what the majority of the proactive investigations consist, Diemer noted parking and tall grass and weeds.
Bondy added she is getting complaints about the Town’s recently upgraded Report a Problem tool when it comes to users not having an exact address for an issue. In those cases, they have to drop a pin and it seems to be difficult to do on phones, she has heard.
Later in the meeting, Bondy received Council support for her Notice of Motion presented originally July 7, which directed Administration to review the Town’s property standards By-Law. Admin will return with a report proposing any changes they determine is required to improve the By-Law’s relevancy, effectiveness, and alignment with the community’s needs. The review will incorporate public consultation and education.
“It seems like it is one of those by-laws, either where we are enforcing it too much or enforcing it too little,” Bondy said. “I think it is time to do a check-in with the community…”
The timing is good, because the By-Law Department is moving into the Legal and Legislative Services Department from the Development Services Department, Bondy added. It will also be a good educational tool to help Council understand the Property Standards By-Law, as well.
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