Pickleball in Centennial

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 include courts that have painted pickleball lines or have tape or chalk lines that are not removed daily.
• 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 located 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.;
• Permanent Outdoor Courts can create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line.

Temporary Outdoor Pickleball Courts

• Temporary Outdoor Courts include courts with lines for pickleball that are removed on a daily basis;
• 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 distance from residentially zoned or used properties;
• Temporary Courts (including lighting) can operate between 8 a.m.-8 p.m.;
• Temporary Courts can 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;
• Confirmation is required from the City that a court existed prior to March 21, 2023 and is eligible for a Limited Exception;
• Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Courts can operate only between 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and create no 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.
• Examples of documentation the City may consider as evidence of a Pre-Existing Permanent Outdoor Pickleball Court includes:
  • Copies of paid invoice(s) of contractor(s) that painted the permanent paint stripes on the court showing the date (must be dated before March 21, 2023)
  • Timestamped photos or security camera footage of the court(s) showing permanent painted lines (must be taken and dated before March 21, 2023)
  • Together with paid invoices, photos or security camera footage showing a permanent court prior to March 21, 2023, written statements and letters from neighbors and others who have routinely played pickleball on the permanent court. Statements not in writing are not sufficient evidence to establish a pre-existing permanent court.

View the complete text of Ordinance No. 2023-O-10(PDF, 3MB).

Have questions? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions for Pre-Existing Outdoor Permanent Pickleball Courts in the City. Or 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.