Town Councils introduce local rules for pickleball in HDB estates amid rising noise complaints

Town Councils across Singapore have begun implementing localised guidelines for pickleball play in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, following a rise in noise-related complaints from residents.

Between January 2024 and August 2025, the Municipal Services Office received 701 complaints concerning pickleball-related noise, according to the Minister for National Development, Chee Hong Tat.

The issue was raised in Parliament by Member of Parliament for Sengkang GRC, Associate Professor Jamus Lim, who asked whether the government intends to regulate the sport’s play in public spaces, given its growing popularity and associated noise disamenities.

Quiet hours and local measures introduced

Under Singapore’s community noise guidelines, residents are encouraged to observe quiet hours between 10.30pm and 7am. These rules apply not only to households but also to shared spaces such as community courts in HDB estates.

Town Councils have introduced specific measures to manage concerns. These include putting up advisories at affected courts, working with Grassroots Leaders to mediate between players and nearby residents, and imposing restricted access hours.

At some locations, courts with gates are locked at 9pm to reduce late-night noise. Others have signage requesting that games be confined to designated hours.

Four Town Councils restrict court access

At least four Town Councils — Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights, Sengkang, and East Coast — have taken steps to limit pickleball activity on community hard courts.

In Ang Mo Kio, authorities cited “prolonged noise and court congestion” as reasons for enforcing earlier closure times.

Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council has introduced permitted play hours between 9.30am and 10pm, as displayed on signage at the Mountbatten multipurpose court.

Member of Parliament for the area, Gho Sze Kee, said the goal was to balance the interests of both players and residents.

Speaking to CNA, she acknowledged that while some pickleball enthusiasts may be disappointed by the new rules, fostering mutual understanding is key.

“The fostering of the community spirit, the kampung spirit, goes a long, long way to resolve issues such as neighbourhood disputes,” she said.

She added that managing court usage was one of her priorities in her first 100 days as an MP and that players had expressed understanding of the new restrictions.

Experts weigh in on noise challenges

Experts have noted that the complaints are particularly significant in the context of Singapore’s high-rise public housing design, where sound transmission is naturally amplified.

Associate Professor Lee Siew Eang from the National University of Singapore’s College of Design and Engineering explained that pickleball produces high-frequency sounds when the ball is struck by a paddle.

These sounds are more perceptible and irritating to human ears than lower-frequency sounds.

“That is why people may find it more disturbing than a lower frequency sound, because our hearing is more sensitive to high frequency sounds,” he said.

Additionally, the vertical structure of HDB blocks exacerbates the problem.

“Sound travelling upward is a very natural thing,” Assoc Prof Lee added. “So even in a small court, if we have some barrier walls, it may not be absolutely effective because apartments two or three storeys high — they will still hear quite loudly and clearly.”

Potential facility upgrades and conversions

In Parliament, Assoc Prof Lim also suggested converting existing sports courts into multi-purpose facilities equipped with sound dampeners.

In response, Minister Chee explained that Town Councils may apply to HDB for consent to carry out such conversion works.

Approval will depend on technical and safety standards, as well as whether proposed changes could create new disamenities.

Chee added that community harmony should remain the guiding principle in managing shared spaces, noting that grassroots mediation often helps prevent disputes from escalating into formal complaints.