Padel and noise pollution: what the regulations say

Le paddle , a rapidly growing discipline, is supervised in France by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) since 2014.

But this rise raises a growing problem: the noise generated by this activity , especially when the land is close to homes.

A noisy discipline by nature

Padel is played on a enclosed play area of 20 x 10 meters , with glass walls at the back and mesh on the sides. Several sound sources are identified:

Le ball bounce (33% of perceived noise)
The shock against the grilles or windows (60%)
Ball/racket impact (7%)
shouts / noises from players

La material configuration (glass, steel, metal structure) and the sound box effect can accentuate the perception of noise.

Padel and noise pollution: what the regulations say

What the law says ?

La French regulations in terms of noise is based on:

Le Public health code (articles R.1336-4 to R.1336-11)
Le decree of August 31, 2006 on neighborhood noise
La standard NF S 31-010 on the measurement of environmental noise

The key concept is that of sound emergence : it is the difference between the ambient noise level with activity and residual level without activity This emergence must remain below certain thresholds to be compliant.

Zone typologies and vigilance thresholds

The FFT study defines three types of zones according to the residual noise :

Area type	Residual noise level	Characterization
Quiet area	~35 dB(A)	Peaceful residential environment
Moderate zone	~45 dB(A)	Neighborhood with light activity
Noisy area	≥ 55 dB(A)	Urban outskirts, roads, industries

The study highlights:

“The quieter an area is, the more noticeable the sound impact of padel is.”

Indicative table of recommended distances

Un abacus FFT makes it possible to anticipate the impact based on the distance between the land and the residents:

Musical ambiance	>100 m	75 100-m	50 75-m	<50 m
Quiet (~35 dB)	✅ Low risk	⚠️ Study needed	⚠️ Required treatments	❌ High impact
Moderate (~45 dB)	✅ Low risk	⚠️ Recommended study	⚠️ Mandatory study	❌ Sensitive implantation
Noisy (≥55 dB)	✅ Low risk	✅ Low discomfort	⚠️ Useful follow-up	❌ Impact to manage

Legend:
✅: low or negligible noise risk
⚠️: acoustic study required or strongly recommended
❌: implantation not recommended without heavy treatment

Special case of padel according to the ARS

In its February 2025 report, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) explicitly classifies the Padel among the activities requiring special attention under the heading of noise pollution.

"In order to issue a health notice, the [construction] application file must include a acoustic study carried out by a specialist office »

Padel is cited in the same way as the shooting ranges, clay pigeon shooting ranges or car washes , due to the potential irreversibility of the noise nuisance.

Recommended measures to limit nuisances

FFT et the ARS converge on a series of recommendations:

Preliminary draft

Make a complete acoustic study (residual noise, impact simulation)
Choose already noisy areas or far from local residents
Avoid all location less than 50 meters away dwellings

In the design phase

Track orientation to avoid sound projection towards the housing
Use of natural or artificial screens (slopes, walls, buildings)
Absorbent courtyard (and non-reverberant) to contain the noise upwards

In operation

Limit the opening hours (evening, weekend)
Display a charter of good conduct (shouts, respect for the neighborhood)
Opt, if possible, for indoor structures completely closed

Towards a padel sustainably integrated into the territory

Both the FFT and the ARS insist on the need for a full early Padel projects, even those carried out with good intentions, can encounter serious constraints if sound issues are not taken into account from the study phase.

“Padel is compatible with a controlled installation, but this requires rigorous study and installation choices that are consistent with the sound environment.”

Resources

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.