Checklist: 10 points to consider before you start an outdoor padel project

Starting an outdoor padel project looks simpler than it is. Many clubs and operators only run into problems halfway through the process: a permit that is refused, local residents who object, or a foundation that does not suit the ground conditions. Most of these problems are avoidable, provided you spot them early enough. This checklist helps you map out the ten most important points to consider before your project starts, so you enter the process well prepared.

Where most padel projects run aground

Outdoor padel projects rarely fail because of technical impossibilities. They fail because of poor preparation. Permit procedures that stall on missing studies, structures that have to be modified afterwards because wind load was not taken into account, or noise problems that only become visible after completion: these are familiar scenarios that can largely be prevented with good preparation.

The ten points below are not an exhaustive project plan, but a practical checklist of the points that are most often underestimated. Go through them before you choose a supplier or submit a permit application.

1: Map out the ground conditions at the site

The ground conditions determine which type of foundation is suitable and what the foundation will cost. Without a soil investigation (CPT sounding) you do not know what is below the surface, and that makes a reliable cost estimate impossible.

With poor ground conditions, such as peat layers or varying bearing capacity, additional measures are needed. Think of a ring foundation with steel reinforcement, or opting for a lighter foundation solution such as Supersub, a foundation system based on foam concrete that is self-levelling and places less load on the subsoil.

Other commonly used options are drainage concrete, a water-permeable type of concrete that drains rainwater directly, and ZOAB asphalt, a porous asphalt variant. Which solution is most suitable depends on the ground conditions, the intended use and the location. You can find more information about the various options on the page about a padel court including groundwork.

Have the soil investigation carried out before you set a definitive budget. Foundation costs can vary widely and are a considerable cost factor for outdoor projects.

2: Check the local noise rules and the zoning plan

Not every location is automatically suitable for outdoor padel. The zoning plan determines whether a sports use is permitted at the location in question. Some zoning designations require an amendment procedure before a padel court can be permitted at all.

In addition to the zoning plan, local noise rules apply. Municipalities apply noise standards for sports facilities, and padel courts near homes are regularly assessed against the Activities Decree (Activiteitenbesluit) or a tailor-made regulation (maatwerkvoorschrift). The standards can differ per municipality and per situation. Check this early in the process, so that you know which requirements to take into account in the design.

When the site is close to homes, schools or care facilities, there is a good chance that noise will play a central role in the permit process. That calls for additional measures, which you are best off including in the design phase.

3: Have an acoustic study carried out

In an acoustic study for a padel court, an independent acoustic consultancy maps the existing noise level, determines the relevant assessment points and calculates various scenarios. On that basis, it assesses which combination of measures is needed to meet the applicable requirements.

Padel noise differs from noise in other sports because of its impulsive character: short, recognisable peaks caused by racket contact and by the ball hitting glass or fencing. People perceive impulsive noises differently from continuous background noise, which makes the assessment more complex. An acoustic study takes this into account and also looks at factors such as the number of courts, their orientation relative to homes, opening hours and evening use.

An independent acoustic firm is responsible for the calculations and measurements. We do not carry out acoustic studies ourselves, but we supply the technical product specifications, structural data and engineering needed to carry out the calculations correctly. Based on the results of the study, a suitable structural solution can then be developed. You can read more about the possible acoustic solutions for padel on our noise solutions page.

4: Determine whether sound-absorbing panels are needed

Sound-absorbing panels are one of the possible measures to limit noise nuisance. They are fitted directly onto the cage structure as a source measure, so that sound is absorbed at the source instead of being reflected. Whether panels are needed and on which sides they are used depends on the results of the acoustic study and the location of noise-sensitive uses.

An important technical point to consider: sound-absorbing panels reduce the wind permeability of the structure. As a result, the wind load on the cage structure increases. The steel structure must be calculated for this and reinforced where necessary. This applies to new courts as well as to existing courts to which panels are added afterwards. If the structure has not been calculated for this, risks to structural safety arise.

In addition to panels, other noise measures are possible, such as freestanding noise barriers. In some situations a combination of both is the most effective. Which solution is suitable differs per project and location. You can find a comparison of the options on the page about outdoor padel court noise barriers.

5: Assess the wind load at the site

Wind load is one of the largest loads on an outdoor padel court. Closed surfaces such as glass, fencing and sound-absorbing panels catch the wind, which creates considerable forces. These forces are transferred through the steel structure to the foundation. The structure and foundation must be designed for the final configuration of the court.

Wind load differs per location. Open terrain, coastal locations and locations near tall buildings have different wind profiles from sheltered urban sites. This has direct consequences for the dimensioning of the steel structure. A structural engineer assesses the wind load based on the location and the chosen court configuration, including any additional provisions.

Assess the site characteristics early in the process. If it turns out later in the project that the structure has to be dimensioned for a higher wind load, this leads to design changes and possibly higher costs. You can read more about the relationship between structure and wind load on the page about how padel courts are built up.

6: Check the available space and dimensions

A padel court has a playing area of 20 by 10 metres. The minimum installation space is 21 by 11 metres. For an optimal playing experience and safety, a space of 21 by 14 metres is recommended, including run-off zones at the short ends.

When there are several courts side by side, the distance between them also plays a role. The orientation of the courts relative to homes influences the cumulative noise level. A configuration that works well at one location may prove insufficient at another. Include the spatial layout in the first site assessment, so that the design can be tailored to it.

Also check whether the zoning plan or the municipality imposes any restrictions on maximum building height or the distance to the plot boundary. This can influence the choice of court type and its placement.

7: Plan the permit process realistically

In the Netherlands, an outdoor padel court is regarded as a structure and falls under building regulations. In most cases an environmental permit (omgevingsvergunning) is required. The processing time of a permit application averages 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the municipality and the complexity of the project.

A permit application for a padel court near homes usually requires several documents: structural calculations in accordance with the Building Decree (Bouwbesluit), an acoustic study, a light study, a site plan and sometimes an ecological or archaeological study. If not all documents are submitted at the same time, the procedure may be delayed.

Bear in mind that municipalities and padel noise are regularly identified as a point of attention when assessing applications. Some municipalities draw up tailor-made regulations or ask for additional studies. Plan the permit process well ahead of your desired start date. You can read more about applying for a permit for a padel court on our permit page.

8: Involve local residents early in the process

Objections from local residents are one of the most common causes of delay in outdoor padel projects. When residents only learn about the plans through a permit application or a construction notice board, the chance of objections is greater than when they have been informed earlier.

Early communication gives local residents the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns before the design is final. It also makes it possible to adjust technical measures, such as the placement of sound-absorbing panels or the orientation of the courts, to the specific situation of the surroundings.

Municipalities value a participation process when assessing applications. It can contribute to a smoother permit process, although it offers no guarantee of approval. The outcome remains dependent on the technical and permit-related feasibility of the project.

9: Request certified materials and the Kiwa ISA Sport inspection

All foundation components used in the Netherlands must have been approved by Kiwa ISA Sport, the recognised inspection body for sports facilities. This also applies to the artificial turf and other sports-technical materials. If non-certified materials are used, the facility does not meet the applicable requirements and approval for official matches can be refused.

Ask every supplier for the relevant certifications before you make a choice. Check whether the steel structure complies with EN 1090-1, whether the artificial turf has UV certification and whether the glass panels carry the CE marking in accordance with the applicable standard for tempered safety glass. Inexperienced clients are not always aware of these requirements, which creates risks at handover and inspection.

An inspection by Kiwa ISA Sport is mandatory for official matches. Include this inspection in the project planning, so that the facility is available for use on time.

10: Choose a supplier with in-house engineering and production

The choice of supplier has a direct influence on technical quality, delivery time and the possibilities for custom work. Suppliers that import structures depend on foreign production schedules and have limited ability to adapt structures to site-specific requirements, such as a higher wind load or the integration of sound-absorbing panels.

A supplier with in-house engineering and production can adapt structures during the design phase based on the results of an acoustic study or a structural assessment. This prevents costly modifications afterwards and ensures that structural safety, acoustic performance and buildability are optimally aligned.

When selecting a supplier, ask about the production location, the available certifications and the options for structural customisation. Having a padel court built to measure starts with a supplier that takes the technical conditions of your site seriously.

A well-prepared start prevents costly delays

The ten points in this checklist are not formal requirements, but practical points that are regularly underestimated when preparing an outdoor padel project. A site analysis, a timely acoustic study, a realistic permit process and a supplier with in-house engineering are not a luxury, but a practical foundation for a project that is technically feasible and has a chance of success in terms of permits.

Every location is different. The distance to homes, the ground conditions, the available space and the local noise rules together determine which approach is most suitable. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions. What works at one location may not be sufficient at another. That is precisely why a project-specific assessment is the basis of every well-prepared padel project.

Not sure whether outdoor padel is feasible at your location?

We are happy to think along with you about the court configuration, structural preparation and possible noise measures. Together with your acoustic consultant, we look at which solution is technically feasible and suits the project. Get in touch via the page about acoustic solutions for padel for an initial, no-obligation exploration.

Frequently asked questions