Petition to Address Pickleball Impulsive Noise Pollution

Pickleball noise is undermeasured.
We, the undersigned, call on local governments, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) to take immediate action to stop the growing environmental and public health crisis caused by pickleball impulsive noise.
The sharp, repetitive pops from hard paddles striking rigid plastic balls can reach up to 120 decibels near the source. This highly impulsive noise, recognized internationally as an environmental pollutant, harms human health, disrupts wildlife, and is fueling costly legal disputes nationwide.
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Impacts on Human Communities
Pickleball's impulsive noise is not just a nuisance—it is a public health hazard. Chronic exposure is linked to stress, sleep disruption, hypertension, and other cardiovascular and stress-related illnesses. The World Health Organization has identified environmental noise as a major health risk factor, and the EPA already recognizes noise as a pollutant under the Noise Control Act.
Yet recreational impulsive noise, such as pickleball, remains under-regulated. Across the U.S., residents near courts report diminished quality of life, reduced property values, and conflicts that often escalate to expensive lawsuits against cities, homeowner associations, and clubs. Proactive solutions are urgently needed before more communities are harmed.
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Impacts on Wildlife and Ecosystems
In parks and natural areas, pickleball noise disrupts wildlife behavior and weakens ecological resilience. Studies link excessive noise to elevated cortisol levels, suppressed immunity, reduced foraging, altered vocalizations, and lower reproductive success in birds and mammals. These impacts magnify habitat fragmentation and reduce biodiversity.
For example, in Seattle, plans for pickleball courts in Lincoln Park were halted after advocacy revealed risks to more than 160 bird species—yet no wildlife impact assessment had been conducted beforehand. Ignoring impulsive recreational noise undermines conservation goals and risks non-compliance with federal protections such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act.
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Our Requests
To protect communities and ecosystems, we call for the following:
1. Local Municipalities:
o Enact ordinances that specifically regulate impulsive recreational noise.
o Require acoustic and wildlife impact assessments before approving new or converted pickleball courts.
o Mandate buffer zones of at least 500 feet from homes, schools, hospitals, and sensitive habitats.
o Prioritize indoor facilities or quiet-court locations instead of residential parks.
2. EPA:
o Reinstate and expand federal noise control authority (dormant since 1982) to include impulsive recreational noise.
o Update national noise guidelines to classify pickleball noise as an environmental pollutant.
o Provide states and municipalities with enforceable standards and resources for mitigation.
3. USAPA:
o Require "Quiet Category" paddles and balls (which reduce sound by up to 50%) for all sanctioned play by 2026.
o Establish mandatory site-selection guidelines to prevent courts near residential zones and wildlife habitats.
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Conclusion
Communities should not have to sacrifice their health, peace, or natural heritage for recreation. By acting now, we can balance pickleball's popularity with the well-being of neighborhoods and ecosystems—avoiding the costly legal battles and environmental damage already spreading nationwide.
We urge immediate action to ensure pickleball grows responsibly, without harming people, wildlife, or shared public spaces.