701 complaints about pickleball noise in HDB estates since Jan. 2024, town councils addressing concerns: Chee Hong Tat

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said that 701 complaints were made regarding noise levels from people playing pickleball in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates between January 2024 and August 2025.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question posed by Workers' Party's Member of Parliament for the Sengkang GRC Jamus Lim on Sep. 26, he said that the town councils have been implementing measures to address residents' concerns.

Lim had asked whether there are plans to issue guidelines or regulations for pickleball play in HDB public courts given its rising popularity and potential noise disamenities.

Measures being implemented to tackle issue

In his response, Chee said that residents are currently advised to observe the quiet hours between 10:30pm and 7am, under existing guidelines on community noise.

He added that this guideline applies to neighbours and common spaces, including game courts in HDB estates.

‍Chee shared that the Municipal Services Office received 701 complaints about pickleball noise in HDB estates between January 2024 and August 2025.

He added that town councils have been implementing measures at the local level to address residents' concerns.

According to Chee, such measures include putting up advisories, working with grassroots leaders to mediate between residents and pickleball players, and restricting the use of the game courts to certain hours.‍

On converting sports facilities to multi-purpose ones

On converting sports facilities into multi-purpose ones with safety enhancements and sound dampeners, Chee said that town councils may apply to HDB for landowner's consent to carry out such works.

HDB will consider a few factors in reviewing such applications and they include whether the proposal meets prevailing technical and safety requirements, and whether it will cause disamenities, he added.

Top photo via Pickleball.sg/Facebook