Steps to Noise Relief

Develop a strategic plan

Work behind the scenes to build relationships and gather support. This is crucial before publicly presenting the issue. 

Find a champion

Identify a sympathetic city council, staff or board member who can guide the process and advocate, also essential.

Build a strong case

Gather data on noise levels, research health impacts, find case studies, and collect community impact statements to support your case.

Avoid common mistakes

It is important to be prepared, understand existing ordinances, build relationships with council members, and focus on the real-life impact of noise on residents.

Why organize? Can’t I do this myself? 

There is strength in numbers, you will need allies, supporters and partners in this work. There is preparation work such as learning your local codes, learning how city council (or Board) operates, finding an inside ally who will champion your case and help you decide what you will need to do to bolster your case and win back enjoyment of your home. One so-called complainer can be easily ignored or dismissed, especially when outnumbered by the players who will show up at every meeting. Petitions can be effective, but a non-strategic petition can also be easily disregarded. 

Reach out to environmental clubs, youth sports, tennis groups and other impacted stakeholders.

What if I don’t know my neighbors?

Start slow. One step at a time. Talk to the neighbors you already know. They will know other neighbors and perhaps others in the community, including some with connections to legal, zoning/planning, media or political leaders.

Drop off a flyer, inviting neighbors to connect so you can discuss the impending or existing noise nuisance. Work on building a core group of supportive neighbors and other community members.

Use Google Maps to draw 500 ft circles around the pickleball courts. Knock on doors. Some people you contact within report symptoms of stress or sleep issues and will be relieved to know that they, too, are not alone.

Why will some neighbors have no interest in organizing?

Some will be players themselves or friends of players. Some will have poor hearing and are not bothered by the noise. Some work outside the home or travel a lot. Some will have had bad experiences in dealing with the city or HOA and will be afraid to do it again. Each person is unique. Be a good listener. The important thing is to make a list of each neighbor and identify them as 1) being on your side, 2) being against you, or 3) they won’t actively help you but at the same time they won’t hurt your efforts and might even show up when numbers are needed.

When you do get a lawyer, they will be interested in this information. In actual lawsuits there have been reports of the insurance company hiring investigators to visit the neighbors to see how many people are affected and how they are impacted. 

Do I need a sympathetic city councilman or Board member?

There can be one or two decision makers who are sympathetic to your concerns. If you can find that person  either on staff, City Council, or on a commission or homeowner board, even a local community activist that can champion your cause. Work together to identify what, and when, to present to a full body or Council. It is important to establish private communication with that ally. That decision maker will know how the process works, who can be relied on to support your cause. He or she may help you find ways to improve your chances of successfully protesting the noise.

What if I have never spoken at a public meeting?

Many people have never spoken before at a public meeting and are understandably nervous. You need to be prepared, each visit to a board is your opportunity to bring a presentation, and it's important to rehearse your speaking part. It's always good to write out your remarks. You can read them out loud to yourself at home. Time them to see if they fit within the typical two or three minutes you will be allowed. You can even read them at the podium when it is your turn to speak. Since you only have limited time it is good to coordinate your remarks with those given by your neighbor so you are sure to cover all of the important arguments.

Can I play a recording of the pickleball noise when I speak to the city council?

You have the two or three minutes to say whatever you want. You should be allowed to play the recording. Don’t ask for permission, just do it. The recording is very impactful. We sometimes see during city council meetings over Zoom where speakers are told they are out of order because, as expected, they'll complain "that's noisy. I can't hear you. turn it off." That is OK, you have made your point. In other cases, people have taken a paddle and a ball to the meeting and demonstrate the noise by hitting them together. Click here for a sample of a video you could play on YouTube, someone's backyard.

How many of my neighbors should speak at the meeting?

There will be many pickleball players at the meeting to speak in favor of pickleball and how important it is to them. So yes, you should have many of your neighbors, supporters and allies there to speak as well.

Should I talk about decibel readings at the meeting?

You can take decibel readings if you want. But you need to know that the impulsive nature of the pickleball noise means that it cannot be measured properly with your cell phone or the sound meters you buy on Amazon. You will often see the players themselves or the park department employees talking about their decibel readings and how they find the decibels to be underneath the city ordinance. Decibels are hard to understand and may not be a winning argument. Even the sound experts don't agree on the penalties for impulsive noise and often overlook a far more significant noise factor: number of pops ie, the amount of exposure to the noise. A refrigerator might be "loud" in terms of decibels, but it's not like tiny firecrackers going off in your kitchen all day!

What are the best things I can say to the city council?

Talk about how the introduction of pickleball has changed your life. Talk about the number of noises that are audible on your patio and inside your house. Talk about the hours that the game is played. Talk about your weekends. Talk about parking. Talk about how you can't have friends or family over, it's too distracting. Talk about the yelling and swearing. Talk about lack of bathrooms which result in misuse of your backyard bushes! Talk about how many years you have lived next door to that park and what a good neighbor the park has always been until the arrival of pickleball. Talk about how your kids have lost their local tennis courts. Be authentic, tell your story.

Should I complain to the City even if I reside in an HOA, POA or mobile home park? 

Yes, the first step to asserting your rights is to make your rights known to the people who are wronging you. In most cities there will be a noise ordinance, and you will want to call the police or the noise enforcement department and ask them to investigate. You should also start your homework learning your local ordinances, attending City Council meetings and requesting public records on proposals, discussions or decisions that have already been made, if any. 

I called the police and they will not help me. Why won't they help?

The enforcement of a noise ordinance is very similar to the enforcement of a speed limit. The officer has the discretion to either write the ticket or wait for a more serious offender. In addition, many ordinances are poorly written for an unusual noise like pickleball. And many police departments are poorly trained and equipped to investigate noises. Sadly, in many cities noise complaints are a low priority and seldom pursued.

Our courts are in a city park. Why won't the police help me?

The Parks Department has authorized the playing of pickleball in the park. Both the Police Department and the Parks Department work at City Hall. It is very unlikely that the Police Department will issue citations to the players when the Parks Department is in charge of the pickleball courts. The city want the courts and the police will not defy the city.

Should I keep complaining even when they don't help me?

Yes. If you are eventually forced into legal action, it will be important to have a record of repeated and ongoing complaints. If not, they will say you consented to the noise by your failure to object. It is more effective if you and your neighbors take turns calling and complaining, because that way the complaints are coming from several people, rather than just one “complainer”. Ask the police to make a written report even though you know they're not going to come. We have seen Zoom city council meetings where the city council will ask the police chief if there have been complaints. You want the chief to say, “we have gotten complaints regularly and from 5 different neighbors”.

Why is pickleball such a problem inside homeowner’s associations?

The typical homeowner’s association was designed by a developer to maximize his profits. Every available piece of land is used for homes or amenities. Tennis courts were built next door to the homes and never caused a problem. But now every homeowner’s association wants pickleball and converts one tennis court into 4 pickleball courts.

The Board of Directors is controlled by the pickleball players. What can I do?

Yes, the pickleball players are very motivated and will volunteer for the board positions and be effective in campaigning for their interests. There will always be more pickleball players who want pickleball than the relatively few numbers of homes that are impacted by the noise. You are outnumbered.

Do the majority of owners really want pickleball, or is it just a a minority who play pickleball? How can I unite the owners?

In a typical HOA there will be perhaps 20% of owners who are passionate about pickleball, but the large majority of owners do not care much and can be persuaded. Everyone cares deeply about the increase in the monthly or yearly dues you pay to the HOA. Pickleball gets very expensive when you add up the costs of construction. And then you have the threats of litigation which create legal expenses. Sound studies are expensive and building noise walls is even more expensive. And then when the legal claims are reported to the association’s insurance company you will have a cancellation or increase in your insurance rates. All these things increase the dues that you pay to your association. This is how you find support from the majority.

Is there a standard noise ordinance for pickleball?

No. There are over 20,000 separate cities and counties in the US, each with its own ordinances on things like noise, weeds, garbage, dogs and other local concerns. Each city has its own language.  In addition each city has its own priorities for enforcement.  Homelessness and theft are straining the local resources.  Noise may be a low priority.

Why are noise ordinances not very helpful for pickleball noise?

Pickleball is a new noise and very different from the usual noises of dogs, mufflers and loud music. It is impulsive, and very hard to measure. Most police don’t have the equipment or training. The laws are not ready for pickleball.

If I find a good ordinance, can I enforce it?

No.  Notice that the noise ordinance is part of the local criminal law, with violators fined or jailed.  The other part of our legal system is the civil law.  You still have your legal rights to enforce the statewide nuisance law, and any contractual rights granted to the owners in your HOA.  You hire an attorney to proceed in the civil courts.  It is a different courthouse, different judges, different laws.  Money damages paid to you, not a fine paid to the city.  Nobody goes to jail, but the court can order a closure of the courts, reduction in hours, etc.

If the local authorities won’t stop the noise, must I accept their decision?

No.  Notice that the noise ordinance is part of the local criminal law, with violators fined or jailed.  The other part of our legal system is the civil law.  You still have your legal rights to enforce the statewide nuisance law, and any contractual rights granted to the owners in your HOA.  You hire an attorney to proceed in the civil courts.  It is a different courthouse, different judges, different laws.  Money damages paid to you, not a fine paid to the city.  Nobody goes to jail, but the court can order a closure of the courts, reduction in hours, etc.

But what if the decibel limit in the ordinance is not violated?  Isn’t that a defense in the civil court?

No, but that is an argument that you will likely face.  Remember, a decibel is only a measure of the sound pressure displayed on the sound meter.  But the statewide nuisance law enforced by your private lawyer looks at the totality of the noxious and offensive noise.  That includes the number of noises per hour, the unusual impulsiveness of the noise, the hours of play, and any offensive behavior of the players.  Think of it this way.  A thermometer measures your child’s temperature.  But what you really worry about is how many hours the temperature has been elevated.

What is the best way to mitigate noise.

Any noise problem, pickleball included, is best mitigated by locating the noise source at a sufficient distance from residential neighborhoods. That is why cities have zoning laws.

Industrial noises sources are grouped and tolerate each other’s noises. Restaurants are in commercial districts, where noise and traffic is expected.  Residential living is not compatible with noise-making activities. Zoning rules are needed to keep pickleball noise at a proper distance from homes.

What is the proper distance that will dissipate the pickleball noise?

Most experts are recommending 800 to 1000 feet as a distance at which there will not be excessive noise complaints. Denver Colorado Parks Department has established 600 feet as the distance where noise can be tolerated, and requires a noise study and mitigation for distances of 350 to 600 feet. No pickleball is allowed inside the 350 foot distance from a residential property.

What about the noise barriers?  How do they work?

Noise barriers are usually 10 feet tall and are claimed to reduce loudness by about 10 decibels if there are no gaps and if the neighbor is standing at the same elevation as the courts. But this reduction may not be sufficient because each of the thousands of noises are still clearly audible at the 50, 150, 200 foot distances where the houses are located. The barrier salesman are satisfied that the barriers are effective by reducing the loudness.

The assumption seems to be that it is a particular decibel level that causes the high level of annoyance  But what about the annoyance of still having to listen to the thousands of noises every day? Case study, City of Braintree and Braintree Pickleball Club installed barriers. Neighbors report the barrier did not do enough.

What about the quiet paddles and balls?

 Quiet paddles can be combined with other things like distance and barriers as a contributing solution. There is no paddle yet that solves the problem all by itself.

The Librarian Ball by Gamma is now on the market but to be effective it require strict enforcement by the court owners. This ball is approved by USA Pickleball for recreational play, but not for tournament play. The Acoustical Engineers are reluctant to recommend the use of quiet equipment unless there can be effective enforcement. We live in a society where many people feel entitled to make their own rules.

Denver Colorado has recently reopened pickleball play at Eisenhower Park, but has comprehensive rules for enforcing the Librarian Ball, including requiring the player to check out the equipment at the park office, and locking the courts when the supervisors are not on duty.  Link to news story. It will be interesting to follow their progress and to see if they can enforce the use of quiet equipment.

What if one person refuses to use the quiet equipment?

The soundscape will always be dominated by the loudest and most prominent noise, just like the loudest dog on your street.  Without on-site supervision and effective enforcement, the quiet equipment is merely a fig leaf and allows the city to claim success without delivering.  Complaints and lawsuits will continue.

Do I actually have legal rights to fight this noise?

• Legal Rights - As an owner you have legal rights to protect your property.  

• Statewide Nuisance Law:  The claims are founded on the principle that a reasonable person would find the noise to be noxious and offensive.  And the extent of the noise intruding onto your property would deny a reasonable person of the reasonable use of their property.

• Settlements:  Most lawsuits are settled with payment of money damages and an agreed upon closure of the courts, limitation on the hours, installation of noise barriers or other compromises.

• Court Decisions - When the case is not settled voluntarily, a trial is conducted, and the Court can order payment of money damages and issue an injunction to close the courts or limit the hours.

• These cases illustrate the growing legal scrutiny surrounding pickleball noise as the sport continues to expand. 

How long to wait before getting a lawyer? 

If you start interviewing attorneys at the beginning of your fight, and keep in touch with them, you might end up finding someone who takes an real interest and seems confident that your rights are being denied.   

What kind of lawyer do I want?

Pickleball is a relatively new field for lawyers. All lawyers have basic knowledge in nuisance law and zoning law. But many lawyers are very busy and won’t have much interest in expanding into pickleball.

• If the courts are not yet built, you may benefit from a lawyer that specializes more in zoning and permitting. Ask a local developer, or local realtor who they would hire to help them promote a project. That lawyer may also know how to block a poorly designed project.

• If the courts are already built you may need a lawyer that goes to court representing people for personal injury or contract disputes.

Will a lawyer take the case on a contingent fee basis?

Lawyers must make a living, just like any professional. Pickleball litigation has not yet progressed to the point where lawyers are taking these cases on a contingent fee basis. You should expect to pay an hourly fee. Typical rates might be $ 300 to $600.00 an hour. Discuss with the attorney whether they believe that the settlement will be sufficient to cover your legal expenses. We have found that settlements can be sufficient especially when insurance companies are involved in defending an HOA or a city.

Where can my lawyer get assistance in preparing my case?

This website pickleballnoiserelief.com is here to help improve your chances of success. Suggest to your lawyer that they register themselves here at the Attorney Help Desk. They will be contacted in private and helped by our legal team.

If you are a legal professional willing to represent neighbors exposed to noise pollution, we can help. 

How can I hold down my legal expenses?

Most pickleball noise victims feel betrayed by their city officials or their HOA/POC managers and want to have a lawsuit about how badly they were treated. This may be very difficult. Your lawyer is more likely to help you focus on the principles of statewide nuisance law that can accomplish both money damages and an injunction ordering a permanent closure of the courts. Often your HOA documents will include contractual provisions that your lawyer can enforce. 

Trust your lawyer to help you identify the legal claims to be presented. Also trust your lawyer to decide who to name as a defendant. The defendant will normally be the owner of the courts, but sometimes will be the architects, engineers and contractors who negligently build the courts without mitigating the noise. Sometimes a pickleball club will be named, or individual players who make noise and behave badly.

If your attorney connects with our legal team, we can provide valuable and time-saving perspective based on research on legal claims, cases and filings from across the country.

What is the basis for a nuisance lawsuit?

The principal idea of a nuisance is that one person's noxious and offensive behavior intrudes onto another person's land. The noxious and offensive behavior might be vibrations, smells, fumes, or noise. You must prove that the noise would be noxious and offensive to a reasonable person. You must also prove that the extent of the noise is such that a reasonable person would be denied the reasonable enjoyment of their property. The laws will be somewhat different in each state and your lawyer will research your state’s law. The proof of the pickleball nuisance is becoming stronger as more and more noise research is being reported at the Institute of Noise Control Engineers and the Acoustical Society of America.

What is a cease-and-desist letter?

Sometimes the lawyer will start by writing a letter to the city demanding that the courts not be built, or if the courts are already built, demanding that the noise be stopped. This is less expensive than a lawsuit and a good starting point. The cease-and-desist letter can also demand that the court owner immediately report the problem to their insurance company and demand that the insurance company immediately respond to you and negotiate a settlement. You must use forceful language – we demand, not we request. You can write a letter yourself, but it is much more respected if written by an attorney. And this can be done at a lower cost than filing a lawsuit.

How can I get an injunction?

An injunction to close the courts can only be obtained by filing a complaint in court. It is not something you can do by yourself. It Is an order from a judge after a lawsuit is filed.

Is there a time limit on getting a lawyer?

Certain legal claims have time limits within which the claim must be brought, or the claim will be lost. However, under nuisance law, each new day of pickleball noise begins a new cause of action. It's not like an automobile accident which is a one-day event. This is a technical area that should be discussed with the lawyer who knows the law in your state. In the case of city owned pickleball courts, some states will have special rules for suing a city. For example, once you give notice of a claim to the city you are limited to a certain number of months within which you must file the lawsuit. Again, it depends on your state and is a question for your lawyer.

I live near the courts.  Should I hire a noise expert?

Maybe.  In some cases a city or HOA may be receptive to having you submit an opinion from an engineer that you hire.  However, it is much more common to see situations where the city or HOA sees you as a complainer and will reject the report because the recommendations are not convincing or too costly or inconvenient.

What if the city or HOA hires a noise expert?

We see cases where the city accepts the report and implements the advice.  However, there are a great many cases where the recommendations are never implemented. Noise barriers are costly.  Enforcement of quiet equipment requires hiring supervisors for the courts. There is a tendency to think the neighbors will get used to it and stop complaining therefore, very often, the noise report is ignored.

What qualifications should we look for in a noise engineer?

Pickleball sound experts hired to assess potential and/or actual pickleball noise levels should:

• always include an audio file of the actual pickleball noise for that number of pickleball courts

• have a verifiable history of successfully working with impulsive noise

• be willing to give a full assessment of the noise, including the number of noise events (POPS per hour) and not just an assessment of the decibels

• not be involved in sales of noise mitigation solutions like barriers. 

• be experienced in outdoor noise propagation and mitigation, involving concepts of flanking and diffraction over the top of barriers - very different from the acoustics of theaters and classrooms and music venues

• recognize and apply current ANSI noise metrics

•  use Class 1 sound level meter with annual calibration for accuracy, suitable for legal 

•  always ask for a sample report

How can I improve the chances that the noise engineer report will be taken seriously?  What if the report is wrong and needs to be challenged?

 Hire a lawyer to present the report or challenge the report.

Should I involve the news media in our pickleball noise problem?

Involving the news media is a powerful tool for getting attention from your City or HOA board. The publicity reflects poorly on the city and that can motivate them to take the situation more seriously rather than just brush you off.

Can I trust the news media?

You can trust the news media to tell both sides of the story. That is their job. So, expect that they will listen to you and tell your side, but they will also talk to the players. You will tell how the pickleball noise has impacted your life in a negative way. The players will talk about how wonderful it has been for them physically and socially. Both things can be true. The news media, especially your local TV and newspapers like these stories.

I am nervous about talking to the media. What can I do?

It's good to have some written down talking points. This will give you some confidence. For example. You might want to say “the noise comes right inside my house, even when my windows are closed.” You might say it's “not just the loudness of the noise, it's that there are hundreds and thousands of individual popping noises, and I can never predict when the players are going to come and go”. “I work at home on my phone and my coworkers have said “what is that noise I am hearing.””? When the reporter interviews you, you will use these answers you have written down in advance. Let the reporter ask the questions, that is their job. Your notes will help you answer the questions.

What if I don’t like Facebook?

It is very common for people to say “I never used social media until pickleball invaded my neighborhood.” Making your situation known and posting it on the Facebook group Pickleball Noise Relief can be an important step to getting help. We are a support group and together we are sounding the alarm on this growing public health crises. A related Facebook group is called Pickleball Sound Mitigation, operated by acoustic consultants affiliated with USA Pickleball. In addition, many of our members launch their own Facebook group, or Page, so that they can keep their supporters up to date. It's a communications tool.

How can posting on Facebook help me?

When you join the Facebook group, you will be joining a community of people with similar problems. Many will offer encouragement and suggestions. You may learn of other people in your city or state who have had some success. You may find the name of a lawyer that others are using. We do hear from our members that some join under a pseudonym, something they might never have considered before. It's sad to say but sometimes the acrimony between players and residents can be intimidating. We prioritize our members well-being and try to make all who join feel welcome. Our motto? You're Not Alone.

Has social media been effective in fighting back? 

Yes. Some groups have created a websites to promote and coordinate their cause. Good examples of these websites include:

• Preserve Osage Park 
• Save Bonnerworth Park

Go Fund Me has been used to collect money used for organizing. 

• Gofundme Fundraiser - Help Save Bonnerworth Park
• Model Noise Ordinance for Pickleball Noise Relief

Change.org has been use to raise funds to help cover legal fees. 

• This view provides a list of organizations fighting back against pickleball noise and pickleball groups trying to recover courts closed or limited due to pickleball noise concerns.

The Pickleball Noise Relief YouTube Channel features hundreds of news reports, city council meetings, expert presentations which can be shared with decision makers and your local press. Click here.

Template for Letter to Elected Officials: Pickleball Noise

Feel free to adjust the specific details and personalize the letter according to your needs and the context of your community.

[Your Name] 
[Your Address] 
[City, State, ZIP Code] 
[Email Address] 
[Phone Number] 
[Date]

[Elected Official’s Name] 
[Elected Official’s Office] 
[City Hall Address] 
[City, State, ZIP Code]  

Dear [Elected Official’s Title & Name]

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the pickleball courts in our community, specifically in the [specific location/neighborhood].  While I understand the importance of providing recreational opportunities to the community, I am deeply concerned about the health and environmental effects, and the reduction in property values associated with excessive noise from this activity. 

Pickleball Noise Pollution

There is growing public recognition and concern about the health effects associated with prolonged exposure to noise pollution caused by pickleball play in residential areas. There is a wealth of research that documents a link between noise pollution and many adverse health effects, including headaches, sleep disturbances, stress, anxiety, malaise, and depression.  These harmful effects can, in turn, make unfortunate victims of noise pollution more vulnerable to even more serious harm to their health.   

Pickleball noise is very different and more harmful than other noise commonly occurring at public recreational facilities for two major reasons – (1) its impulsive characteristic, and (2) its repetitiveness.  

Impulsive pickleball noise results from a solid pickleball paddle striking against a hard plastic ball.  This contact generates a noise characteristic that acoustic experts classify as “impulsive”.   People, pets, and wildlife are much more sensitive to impulsive sounds than non-impulsive sounds (even at the same decibel level).  That is because impulsive sounds often warn receptors of impending harm, which in turn, generates an involuntary fight or flight stress response.  

Pickleball noise is also repetitive.  Research has shown that pickleball play can generate about up to 900 noise events per hour per court.  So, if six pickleball courts were used constantly from 8 am to 10 pm that would result in 75,000 noise events per day.  People living near pickleball courts report that the cumulative effect of those thousands of random impulsive noise events is extremely harmful to their health and wellbeing. 

Property Values

Some real estate assessments and reports indicate that nearby pickleball courts can negatively affect property values in surrounding areas by over 20% of their value. Prospective buyers often see nearby pickleball courts as a noisy nuisance and potentially harmful, leading to decreased interest, lower property prices, and in some cases the inability to even sell their home.  Protecting our property values is essential for maintaining the financial well-being of our residents and the attractiveness of our neighborhood. 

Buffer Zones

As a precaution, many acoustic experts, government officials, and health officials recommend maintaining a buffer zone or safe distance between pickleball courts and noise-sensitive receptors such as residential areas, schools, churches, and healthcare facilities to minimize exposure to noise pollution.  While this is some debate about how large the buffer zone needs to be, there is no debate about the need for a suitable buffer zone.  

Finding a Workable Solution

Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the [insert HOA or city council] and relevant authorities thoroughly review the impacts of the [insert name of park or club] pickleball courts.  In doing so, we urge you to consider the following actions:

1. Enhance public engagement. Facilitate open forums and community meetings to discuss the pickleball courts and address residents' concerns transparently.

2. Conduct comprehensive noise impact assessments. Commission independent experts to evaluate the potential health, environmental, insurance, and property value implications of the pickleball courts.  The assessment should recognize that because pickleball noise is impulsive, has an unusually high number of noise events, and is a relatively new phenomenon, that most existing noise ordinances are out of date and inadequate to protect the public from being harmed by pickleball noise.  Impacts from potential lawsuits and increases in insurance costs or loss of insurance coverage should also be addressed.  

3. Explore alternative locations. Identify and assess alternative sites that are further away from residential areas, schools, churches, and other noise-sensitive zones.  Many localities have found that a solution is to locate pickleball either indoors or outside only if the site is very far (600 to 1,000 feet) from noise-sensitive receptors.  

4. Implement good neighbor standards. In addition to not locating pickleball courts near noise-sensitive receptors, standards and rules should be developed to ensure that the pickleball courts do not become a neighborhood nuisance.  These might include ensuring that adequate parking and bathrooms facilities are available.  Also, rules should limit the days and hours of operation and prohibit the playing of loud music and consumption of alcohol.  

Our community's health, environment and property values are of utmost importance. By taking these factors into account, we can work together to find a solution that balances the need for recreational enjoyment with the well-being and interests of our residents. For more information, I can refer you to a website launched in January 2025 – www.PickleballNoiseRelief.com.  

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and am hopeful of a constructive dialogue on this issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]  

[Your Signature] (if sending a hard copy)

We don't hate pickleball!

Everyone should play it!

Just don't put the courts so close to homes

The loud popping noise and the parking issues in our neighborhood are making our homes unpleasant places to be.

We've suffered through five years of increasing, continuous use of the six courts in our neighborhood.  The noise is affecting our health.  We've seen near accidents due to the crazy parking.

It time for the city to fix the mistake they made when they put the courts so close to homes.

We respectfully request that the City move the courts at  ____________ Park within the next 6 months.

From Change.org, posted by Becky Hofer

Although pickleball provides many benefits to players, the noise generated  becomes an issue when courts are located too close to homes. We want to enforce distance requirements for private pickleball courts in residential communities.

Imagine waking up to an 80 decimal pong pong pong noise followed by exuberant screaming.  Imagine trying to meditate, or enjoy the sound of birds, or trying to work or nap only to be audibly pummeled by your next door STR guests.  Now, imagine the value of your property plunging 20 percent when you try to sell, because of a next door noise nuisance.

This is exactly what is starting to happen at Sky Mountain Ranch in Sedona.  And this problem will spread rapidly as investors learn they might rent more frequently and charge more money by having a pickleball court in the back yard.  The time to act is now!  We need an ordinance to prevent this potential plague.

 Why? Because pickleball noise harms people, pets and wildlife. It is a well-documented noise nuisance:

1. Pickleball play creates highly impulsive noise, generating 900 pop noises per hour, at close to 110 decibels(dB) at the paddle, and about 70dB from 100 feet away.  For comparison, a jack hammer produces 100 dB, and a vacuum cleaner produces 75 dB. This significantly exceeds Sedona’s noise threshold of 60 dB (day) and 50 dB (night). Imaagine listening to that all day!

2. Studies report that pickleball pop noise radiates 2 blocks away (977 feet). For example, noise from one pickleball court in Sedona's Sky Mountain Ranch will infiltrate more than 40 private properties in Sky Mountain Ranch and Back O’ Beyond, plus 2 churches, a synagogue and a fire station

3. Pickleball paddle strikes create “impulsive noise”;  chronic exposure to impulsive noise leads to stress, fatigue, anxiety and disease in humans, pets and wildlife. 

4. Lastly, homes that are adjacent to a pickleball court experience up to a 20% deterioration in property values. This is devastating to home owners  

We collectively oppose allowing any private sports courts that cause a noise nuisance, because it will disrupt the tranquility and quiet enjoyment of our neighborhood, cause undue stress to residents, wildlife and pets, and negatively impact the property value of our homes.  

We need YOUR SUPPORT to PROHIBIT pickleball and other impulsive noise sports courts at our Sedona homes!

Will USA Pickleball help me solve the problem?

Maybe. The mission of USA Pickleball is to promote the development and growth of pickleball in the United States and territories. They also promote an outreach program called Acoustics - USA Pickleball, to assist cities in planning the location of pickleball courts. You can certainly call this to the attention of your city officials or notify USAP yourself. However, we have not been able to identify any success stories associated with this offer.

Will the USA Pickleball Ambassador help me resolve the noise problems?

USAP has over two thousand volunteer Ambassadors. Their primary role and responsibility is to build pickleball programs and look for opportunities to add courts and grow the game in their communities. They learn how to work with parks and clubs and often dedicate themselves to full time lobbying for pickleball courts. Although it is unlikely, you should get to know them and see if they will help you. 

When you see Ambassadors leading protests against closure of courts you should report this to USAP.