Is a national law needed to regulate the construction of padel courts? Padel Magazine

The spectacular development of padel in France This is accompanied by an increasingly debated question: should we establish clear national regulations to govern the establishment of sports fields , particularly near homes?

A national scientific study published in 2026 provides for the first time national-level numerical data and explicitly opens the debate on the need for a more coherent regulatory framework.

With helpby EchoPadel et ScienceDirect Let's take a closer look at a topic that sometimes causes a stir…

Very rapid growth of padel in France

Padel is currently one of the fastest growing sports in Europe.

According to various estimates:

over 500 practitioners in France
several thousands of plots of land already developed or planned
annual growth among the strongest in amateur sport.

This rapid expansion mechanically leads a proliferation of facilities near residential areas This explains the increase in tensions between clubs and local residents.

A national study of 878 padel sites

To measure the extent of the phenomenon, the researchers compiled a national database listing 878 active padel sites in metropolitan France .

Each installation was analyzed according to several criteria:

distance between the land and the dwellings
direct visibility between the accommodations and the slopes
urban density of municipalities
geographical distribution of the land.

This analysis relies on tools for GIS mapping (Geographic Information Systems) allowing us to identify the areas where the nuisances are most likely.

Nearly a third of the land is too close to homes.

The results are striking.

On the 878 sites analyzed :

271 sites are classified as potentially problematic
or, 30,9% of the installations studied .

These sites correspond to plots of land located:

within 100 meters of dwellings
with sometimes direct visibility between the accommodations and the slopes .

In other words :

Nearly one in three padel courts in France does not comply with the distances recommended in the technical guides. .

More than 650,000 residents affected

By analyzing the buildings located around these plots of land, the study estimates that:

about 17,100 inhabitants live within 100 meters of a padel court .

The researchers also identified:

several thousands of residential buildings located within this perimeter
a significant portion of which direct visibility on the grounds .

But the combination Short distance + direct line of sight constitutes one of the configurations most conducive to the perception of noise.

Recommended but not mandatory distances

Today, in France, There are no specific national regulations imposing a minimum distance between padel courts and dwellings. .

The existing recommendations come primarily from:

of the French Tennis Federation (FFT)
by regional health agencies
technical guides for sports facilities.

These recommendations generally distinguish three zones:

Beyond 100 m: low risk
Between 50 and 75 m: high risk
less than 50 m: installation strongly discouraged without significant acoustic treatment .

However, these recommendations are not legally binding .

Decisions made at the municipal level

In practice, the construction of a padel court depends primarily on:

du building permit issued by the municipality
du local urban development plan (PLU) .

Each municipality therefore has significant autonomy to authorize or reject projects .

This situation creates a system very decentralized and heterogeneous where the rules can vary greatly from city to city.

Some municipalities require:

acoustic studies
minimum distances
soundproofing.

Others are content with the general urban planning rules.

Clearer regulations in other countries

The study also compares the French situation with other European countries.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a national guide entitled “Handreiking Padel in Geluid” was developed jointly by:

the tennis and padel federation
associations of municipalities
acoustic experts.

This document recommends distances between:

100 and 160 meters between the land and the dwellings , depending on the urban context and the number of lanes.

Belgium

In Wallonia, a public acoustic study also recommends:

to establish the sites beyond 100 meters from the dwellings .

These frames offer national standards that are clearer than those currently in force in France .

A still fragmented regulatory landscape

Researchers describe the French situation as a fragmented and largely non-binding regulatory framework .

This system has several limitations:

Absence of minimum distance required
Absence of national monitoring of plant locations
lack of centralized data on noise-related conflicts .

As a result, decisions are often based on local arbitrations , sometimes without in-depth acoustic expertise.

A question that is now political

The question of noise of the padel It is also beginning to appear in the political debate.

Parliamentary questions have already been tabled in the National Assembly regarding the nuisances associated with this sport.

Furthermore, the National Health and Environment Plan (PNSE) emphasizes the importance of reducing noise pollution related to leisure activities.

These elements show that the problem could gradually to enter the legislative agenda .

Towards future national regulations?

The study does not directly propose a law, but it opens several avenues for improving the situation:

1. National minimum distances

Implement a clear regulatory threshold , for example around 100 meters .

2. Mandatory acoustic studies

Impose an acoustic study for land located less than 100 meters from dwellings .

3. Territorial planning tools

Use simple mapping tools (GIS) to identify risk areas before any construction.

4. Post-installation follow-up

Implement a national system for monitoring complaints and nuisances .

According to the authors, these measures would allow to anticipate conflicts rather than managing them after the fact .

A key issue for the future of padel

Padel is a rapidly growing sport today. But like any sports facility located in a city, its development must find a balance between sports practice and quality of life for residents .

The researchers conclude that Simple and transparent rules could be enough to reduce a large part of current conflicts .

National regulations are not necessarily inevitable, but they could allow for:

to harmonize practices
to help local communities
to ensure the sustainable development of padel.

Source

Dufour JC., Bonnet C. (2026)
Managing padel-court siting near housing: guideline adherence shortfalls and populations at risk – national evidence from France
City and Environment Interactions.

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.