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Alpharetta council adopts 250‑foot setback for new pickleball courts after residents’ complaints about noise
Summary
On June 1 the Alpharetta City Council approved a second‑reading ordinance amending the Unified Development Code to require new pickleball courts be sited at least 250 feet from homes, a change proponents said will protect residents from sharp, repetitive noise; the rule does not apply to existing courts.
The Alpharetta City Council on June 1 approved a text amendment to the Unified Development Code that adds definitions and a 250‑foot setback requirement for new pickleball courts.
Residents urged the change during public comment, saying existing courts can create intrusive, high‑frequency noise that penetrates homes. "It's not a volume on a decibel meter, rather it's the sharp, repetitive, high‑frequency sound that cuts through everything," said Matt Christiansen, who lives near existing courts and asked the council to support the setback as a way to protect residents’ quality of life.
Simrez Vanpour, who said he lives about 150 feet from nearby courts, told the council he was encouraged the city reviewed research on pickleball noise and that the 250‑foot buffer will protect future residents. Director Kathy Cook (staff) said there were no changes to the ordinance since its first reading and offered to answer council questions.
Council members framed the amendment as a narrowly targeted rule for new construction, not retroactive regulation of existing facilities. Councilman Dorito thanked the Christiansen family and staff for providing research that informed the change; Mayor Pro Tem Merkel and others emphasized the ordinance aims to balance recreation and livability. "We're not anti‑pickleball by any means," Merkel said in discussion, adding the measure is intended to prevent courts from being sited directly adjacent to homes in new development.
The motion to approve on second reading passed unanimously. The ordinance text, PH‑26‑05, was described on the record as applying to newly proposed courts; council members and staff said the rule would not compel changes at existing facilities.
Next steps: the ordinance takes effect according to the city’s adoption procedures; staff and community development will implement the setback in future permitting and review.
