I'm currently applying for an improvement for a sport court in a Houston neighborhood. Sport courts are allowed in our neighborhood and a few neighbors have them.

The Architectural Control Committee wants to include a Restrictive Covenant that limits and restricts certain sports that can be played on the improvement. I have not seen the actual RC, but from discussions I've had offline with a board member they are trying to ban pickle ball in the neighborhood and our court will be the first to implement a restrictive use; existing courts will be grandfathered.

No where in the guidelines does it state what activities the ACC can restrict. The guidelines do state we can build it within a certain size that includes landscaping to shield it from neighbors.

What are my options here? TIA

People ***** about how obnoxious the repetitive "thunk" of a pickleball game can be. Supposedly there's special balls or paddles out there to limit that, so maybe push for that, rather than an all-out ban (if you care).

I've heard a lot of complaints about it related to multi-family, but never for single family homes.

Diggity said:

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People ***** about how obnoxious the repetitive "thunk" of a pickleball game can be. Supposedly there's special balls or paddles out there to limit that, so maybe push for that, rather than an all-out ban (if you care).

I've heard a lot of complaints about it related to multi-family, but never for single family homes.

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And I am assuming these are pretty good size lots.

Agreed. If lots of folks are doing sport courts, these are nice lots.

Sea Speed said:

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Diggity said:

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People ***** about how obnoxious the repetitive "thunk" of a pickleball game can be. Supposedly there's special balls or paddles out there to limit that, so maybe push for that, rather than an all-out ban (if you care).

I've heard a lot of complaints about it related to multi-family, but never for single family homes.

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And I am assuming these are pretty good size lots.

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1.4 acres in near Rosenburg

How would they even enforce that? Are they going to fine you if your neighbor hears your kids hitting a pickleball?

They can prevent you from what you can play on the court? I cannot imagine that would hold water.

That is insane! Tennis makes noise, basketballs make noise. WTF would you actually be able to use it for if they have that authority?

here's some background

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/sports/pickleball-noise-complaints-lawsuits.html

in other news...people have run out of stuff to complain about.

dc509 said:

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They can prevent you from what you can play on the court? I cannot imagine that would hold water.

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Not arguing for the powers of HOAs but do you think HOAs can prevent you from planting what you want to plant in your yard or flowerbeds? Can they prevent you from running a daycare in your house? If so, why would it be such a stretch to think they have the power to restrict how you use a sports court in your yard?

I think it's a matter of what kind of power the restrictive covenants bestow upon the HOA, and whether those covenants were in place when OP purchased the home/lot.

You're near me. Which hood? You north of the river or elsewhere?

unmade bed said:

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dc509 said:

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They can prevent you from what you can play on the court? I cannot imagine that would hold water.

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Not arguing for the powers of HOAs but do you think HOAs can prevent you from planting what you want to plant in your yard or flowerbeds? Can they prevent you from running a daycare in your house? If so, why would it be such a stretch to think they have the power to restrict how you use a sports court in your yard?

I think it's a matter of what kind of power the restrictive covenants bestow upon the HOA, and whether those covenants were in place when OP purchased the home/lot.

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This

I think it's a matter of what kind of power the restrictive covenants bestow upon the HOA, and whether those covenants were in place when OP purchased the home/lot.

I can see the agenda for the next HOA meeting now...