Pickleball Frequently Asked Questions

Ordinance No. 2023-O-10 (the “Pickleball Ordinance”) was approved by City Council on September 19, 2023, which establishes how Permanent and Temporary Pickleball Courts are regulated in the City.

The City is regulating Pickleball due to the unique noise impacts of the sport to residential areas in close proximity of outdoor pickleball courts. The City is aware of a number of conflicts between pickleball and adjacent residential properties evidenced by national reports and news media, as well as a number of lawsuits that have been brought to address noise impacts. According to a study prepared for the City by a national acoustics engineering expert, and other readily available information and research, outdoor pickleball noise is unlike and more impactful than noise created by other forms of outdoor recreational activities (tennis, football, passive recreation). To specifically address noise concerns and complaints from residents, the City enacted distance and noise abatement requirements for outdoor pickleball courts.

Yes, Ordinance No. 2023-O-10 applies to all locations created for pickleball play including private backyards, HOA properties and commercial pickleball courts.

No. A “permanent court,” more than 600 feet away from a residential zone district or a property used for residential purposes is not subject to the requirements of the Pickleball Ordinance. A “temporary court,” more than 600 feet away from a residential zone district or a property used for residential purposes is not subject to the requirements of the Pickleball Ordinance. The City can assist in determining whether a court is a permanent or a temporary court and whether the court is outside of these distance requirements. Please e-mail centennialplanning@centennialco.gov or call 303-754-3308 if you have questions regarding the applicability of the Pickleball Ordinance. 

The City’s Code Enforcement team will contact the property owner who is the subject of a complaint to discuss the complaint and inspect potential violations.

The City does not anticipate closing approved pickleball courts based on single complaints, standard noise meter/phone dB measurements or without monitoring the situation.

Yes, the City’s Staff is actively monitoring requests and complaints received. As of December 2023, some potential amendments to the Pickleball Ordinance are being considered to best administer the ordinance. Many of the currently considered amendments are changes in the specific language of the ordinance to better express the City’s intent regarding pickleball play.

Ordinance No. 2023-O-10 does not permit variances to the rules for existing or new pickleball courts. This includes the maximum decibel level, the distance a court can be from residential and the hours of operation. The Limited Exception only exempts Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts from the distance setbacks.

Neither the City or Ordinance No. 2023-O-10 regulates the type of equipment used. 

Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts that are within 250 feet to 600 feet of a residential zone district or property used for residential purposes established after March 21, 2023 need to apply for an Outdoor Pickleball Court Permit and submit a Noise Impact Assessment demonstrating the decibel level does not exceed 47-dB at the nearest residential property line.

The type of noise study specified in the Ordinance will measure the sound coming from the Pickleball Courts and not “count” the background noise against the court. This is important because Pickleball noise is different and more harmful at lower levels than background noise.

The Pickleball Ordinance authorizes an application process to obtain a “Limited Exception” that would allow some outdoor pickleball courts that were permanently established before the City’s regulations to continue to operate, subject to certain requirements. Not all pickleball courts will qualify.

All requests and documentation for Limited Exceptions should be emailed to centennialplanning@centennialco.gov. A staff member will confirm and follow up within one (1) business day of the submittal. Requests can also be mailed to or dropped off at the Civic Center, though e-mail is preferred.

The documentation should include a written request from the property owner for the pre-existing permanent outdoor pickleball courts that contains the address/location, the number or courts and when they were installed. Within that request needs to be evidence that the courts existed and were operating prior to March 21, 2023. This can be time stamped photos of the courts, aerial images of the courts or paid invoices from the contractor who stripped the courts. Written statements from residents that have been playing on the courts prior to the moratorium must also be submitted. A Noise Impact Assessment is not a required document for a Limited Exception request.

The City will send a formal letter of the City’s decision to approve or deny the request for a Limited Exception for the courts described in the request. 

Yes, staff is here to answer questions. Please e-mail centennialplanning@centennialco.gov or call 303-754-3308 if you have questions. 

Staff will follow up via email or phone requesting more information if needed. 

The current review period for Limited Exception requests is approximately 1-2 weeks.

The City may revoke a Limited Exception that has been granted if there is tangible and credible evidence that the courts are not complying with the requirements of Ordinance No. 2023-O-10, such as expanding a pickleball court, violating the hours of operation or documented proof the maximum noise level is exceeded. A singular complaint will most likely not cause the City to shut down a lawful or exempted pickleball court.

There are no fees associated with Limited Exception requests.