Town Considering Ban on Private Pickleball Courts

A Bay Area town is evaluating whether to ban pickleball courts on private property.

The Town Council heard a presentation from staff at its meeting Thursday about implementing the pickleball court regulations because of home courts and the potential noise disturbances they create.

“The council was very close to banning it,” said Councilmember Mathew Salter.

Pickleball's growing popularity has led to increasing noise complaints and conflicts in neighborhoods over the past year.

Read: Colorado Community the Latest to File Noise Complaint Lawsuit, Citing 'Unbearable Conditions'

Read: Mass. Homeowner Can't Sell House Because of Pickleball Noise

Here are some key developments regarding pickleball noise issues:

Impact on Communities

The distinctive "pop" sound of pickleball has become a source of frustration for residents living near courts.

Some key impacts include:

• Noise levels around 70 dBA at 100 feet from courts, which is significantly louder than typical residential ambient noise of 40 dBA.
• Complaints about disrupted sleep and quality of life from nearby residents.
• Lawsuits filed against towns over noise levels, as seen in Falmouth where residents successfully sued using professional noise measuring equipment.

Mitigation Efforts

Communities and manufacturers are exploring various solutions to address the noise problem:

Sound Barriers: Some towns have installed soundproofing barriers around courts, though effectiveness has been mixed.

Equipment Innovations:

• USA Pickleball created a "quiet category" for equipment producing about half the typical noise.
• The OWL paddle, designed to produce lower hertz and decibel levels, was recently certified as the first product in this category.

Court Planning:

• Recommendations include building courts at least 500 feet from residences and using sound-absorbing surfaces.
• USA Pickleball is offering acoustic assessments and expert advice for designing quieter facilities.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite mitigation efforts, challenges persist:

• Some residents report that sound barriers are not fully effective in reducing noise.
• Balancing the needs of pickleball enthusiasts with neighbors' concerns remains difficult.
• Creating tournament-grade equipment that meets noise standards poses additional challenges.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, finding effective solutions to the noise issue will likely remain a priority for communities and equipment manufacturers in the coming years.

If you've been considering putting a court in your yard, you might want to do it before your HOA reads our articles.