Pickleball in Centennial

New Pickleball Regulations

On September 19, 2023 Centennial City Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance No. 2023-O-10 creating regulations for Outdoor Pickleball Courts within the City. These regulations are in effect immediately and include the following:

Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts

• Permanent Outdoor Courts are prohibited within 250 feet of residentially zoned or used properties;
• An Outdoor Pickleball Court Permit is required for Permanent Outdoor Courts between 250 to 600 feet of residentially zoned or used properties;
• Noise mitigation for Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts established from 250 to 600 feet of residentially zoned or used properties shall be required pursuant to a Noise Impact Assessment;
• Permanent Outdoor Courts (including lighting) can operate between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line.

Temporary Outdoor Pickleball Courts

• Temporary Outdoor Pickleball Courts are prohibited within 350 feet of residentially zoned or used properties;
• Temporary Outdoor Pickleball Courts are allowed at 350 feet or greater from residentially zoned or used properties;
• Temporary Courts (including lighting) can operate between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line.

Limited Exception for Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts

• Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts that can demonstrate existence prior to March 21, 2023 are exempted from the distance setbacks;
• Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts must operate between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line;
•  An Outdoor Pickleball Court Permit may be required for Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts that operate outside of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and/or create more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line;
• Owners of Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts can contact centennialplanning@centennialco.gov to submit questions or documentation for Pre-Existing status.

View he complete text of Ordinance No. 2023-O-10(PDF, 3MB) . Please contact centennialplanning@centennialco.gov with questions.

Complaints regarding restricted court types, noise, hours of operation or other concerns can be shared with 303-325-8000 or online on the Report a Problem page.

Noise

As pickleball in Centennial continues to grow in popularity and demand, the City is aware of potential impacts to residential areas in close proximity of outdoor pickleball courts. According to readily available information and research, outdoor pickleball noise is unlike and more impactful than noise created by other forms of outdoor recreational activities. To specifically address noise concerns and complaints from residents, many local governments have researched and enacted distance and noise abatement requirements for outdoor pickleball courts.

The City worked with a noise consultant to better understand potential issues to determine if new noise regulations are necessary to preserve the sound environment in our neighborhoods. View the Pickleball Noise Impact study(PDF, 12MB)  provided by Spendiarian & Willis Acoustics & Noise Control.