Centennial approves updated pickleball court regulations in residential areas

In Centennial, an emergency ordinance to regulate pickleball courts has passed. The ordinance originally banned permanent pickleball courts within 100 feet of a residential area but that has been revised. 

Now, permanent courts are prohibited within 250 feet of residentially zoned properties. A pickleball court permit is required for permanent courts between 250-600 feet of residences. 

A noise impact statement is required for permanent courts located between 250-600 feet of residences. 

Permanent courts can operate between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line. 

Not everyone believes those levels are attainable. People spoke about it during the Centennial council meeting on Tuesday night, "I'm an audiologist and your proposal of 47 decibels is absurd when normal conversation is 60 decibels. Also on a side note, tennis and pickleball have the same decibel count."

For temporary courts, the regulations are a little different. Temporary courts are prohibited within 350 feet of residentially zoned or used properties with the same regulations for hours and noise levels as permanent courts.