Laguna Beach council adopts first reading of ordinance requiring ‘quiet’ pickleball paddles at Lang Park

Laguna Beach City Council voted Feb. 25 to approve on first reading an ordinance that would require players at the Lang Park pickleball courts to use USA Pickleball quiet‑category paddles or similarly authorized noise‑reducing equipment. The council’s vote followed more than an hour of public comment from nearby residents who described repeated, high‑impact noise events and from players who said the courts are an important exercise and social venue.

Supporters of a mandate said earlier measures — acoustic screening, reduced hours and voluntary adoption of quieter paddles — had not fully resolved noise complaints. “We have waited long enough,” Susanna, a Vista Aliso resident, told the council, describing a noise monitor she said recorded “up to 900 pops per hour” and urging immediate action (00:33:35). Recreation staff told the council the city has sold more than 200 quiet paddles and already supplies discounted paddles to some programs and classes.

Opponents or cautious commenters said mandatory equipment requirements could unduly restrict public access at a city park and unfairly burden visitors who do not own costly paddles. “I don’t hear that noise,” said Chris Johnson, a longtime player and South Laguna resident, who said he had taken his own recordings that did not show the same levels (00:37:27). Others urged the council to pair any equipment rule with outreach and subsidized paddles for low‑income residents.

Recreation Manager Alexis Braun told the council the city already sells two USA Pickleball‑approved quiet paddles and the city coach uses them for classes; staff said enforcement would be complaint‑driven and handled by code enforcement or park rangers (00:49:16). Several council members supported the ordinance as a compromise intended to protect neighbors while retaining public access to a popular park. The first reading passed with a unanimous voice vote; staff said the ordinance will return for a second reading on March 11 and, if adopted, go into effect roughly 30 days after the second reading.

Council members also asked staff to return later with compliance data and suggested discussing court hours and coach scheduling after the quiet‑paddle rule has been in effect for a period.

The ordinance approved on first reading adds a provision to Laguna Beach Municipal Code, Title 18 — Use of Parks — requiring USA Pickleball quiet‑category paddles or equivalent noise‑reducing equipment at Lang Park (first reading adopted Feb. 25; second reading and final adoption scheduled for March 11).