Are you ready to install a pickleball court in your backyard? It’s an exciting investment that can help you make the most out of your property – both once it’s installed and if you ever plan on selling it. However, many homeowners find themselves in sticky situations when they go ahead with a home improvement project, only to find that they need a permit first. The last thing that you want is to end up paying the consequences because you didn’t check whether or not you need a permit.

Here is what you need to know about why it’s important to obtain permits and whether or not you need a permit in order to install a pickleball court in your backyard.

What Happens If You Needed A Permit But Didn’t Get One?

Nothing good! It’s crucial to consult with experienced professionals whenever you want to embark on a home improvement project, such as installing a pickleball court. If you needed a permit but didn’t get one, you may end up being fined, having the project delayed, or be forced to remove everything that was done. All of these are very costly consequences that can be easily avoided by obtaining a permit prior to beginning work.

Bear in mind that getting a permit for a project isn’t a guaranteed you asked for it so now you have it. You must apply in order to get a permit, and some applications can be denied if requirements are not met. This is why it is crucial to do your research prior to embarking on any major home improvement project. The last thing that you want is to have your heart set on something only to find out that you can’t do it – and if you do it regardless, that there are expensive consequences to be had. 

Do You Need A Permit For A Pickleball Court?

Whether or not you will need a permit for a project will depend on your county, city, and/or municipality, as they all have their own requirements pertaining to permits, and their requirements change. Working with professionals will ensure what requirements need to be met before you can obtain a permit to make any home improvements.

Since pickleball courts are permanent surfaces and necessitate large-scale construction and laying down a base-surface, they typically require a permit. This can vary depending on your location, so, as we keep reiterating, make sure that you’re working with experienced pros who will be able to inform you about the requirements that must be met in order to obtain a permit in order to install a pickleball court in your backyard. 

Permit requirements vary. They typically involve factors like the size of your property, the proximity of the proposed court to property lines, your neighbors, fencing, and much more. 

It is absolutely essential that you do not start building prior to receiving your permit. This is illegal and can result in consequences, such as hefty fines.

How Do You Get A Permit?

We know that you’re sick of us telling you this, but… It depends on where you live and the type of pickleball court you want to build. Typically, though, you’ll need an application for home construction, building permits, zoning compliances, and construction licenses. As you know – this can vary. Costs vary too and may have fees associated with them, such as zoning fees and application review fees.

The best person to help you understand what you need to get a permit and everything involved in the process will be your local code officer. Professional court builders will have knowledge you can pull from as well. 

So long as you’re careful to ensure that your proposed court is in compliance with all necessary regulations and the application is completed properly, it shouldn’t take too long in order to receive a permit to be able to install a pickleball court in your backyard. 

Why Do Backyard Courts Need Permits?

Generally, if you want to have a backyard court, you’ll need to have a permit. This is because of the size of the court and the materials needed to construct it, among other factors. Typically, if you have any large structures, fencing, lighting, and the like, you should plan on applying for a permit as part of the process. Failure to comply with permit regulations can result in the loss of the court.

Does Your Pickleball Court Need Surfacing?

Here at Pickle Court Surfacing, we don’t do court installations, but we do do court surfacing and resurfacing. So, once you’ve crossed the hurdles of obtaining a permit, count on our experts to transform your newly installed court into a customized thing of beauty.

Contact us today to learn more about our court surfacing services.

Pickleball is more than a fun social activity for those of all ages. There are many health benefits from playing pickleball that you can enjoy whether you’re young or retired and anywhere in-between. Having your own pickleball court or a pickleball court near you can be fantastic for your overall well-being. Bear in mind, though, that it’s important that the pickleball court you play on have a good, smooth surface, as an old, damaged court surface can cause injuries – the exact opposite of improving your health!

Fortunately, Pickle Court Surfacing provides professional pickleball court surfacing services (we know, our name definitely didn’t give that away). With a fresh new surface on your backyard court or community court, you can put fears of twisting your ankle in a birdbath aside and enjoy the multitude of health benefits from playing pickleball. Some of which are as follows. 

#1. Improved Balance And Coordination

This sport is a fantastic way to improve your balance and coordination. This is because in order to both receive and to hit the ball, your hands and eyes need to work well together. If you don’t have good hand-eye coordination, you’ll likely struggle with pickleball at first – but fear not! Keep with it, and with practice and time, your balance and coordination can improve.

Not only is this good for the purposes of the sport itself, but it’s also good for many other areas of your life. Many daily tasks require certain levels of balance and coordination in order to be done properly. Sports can help improve these so that when you’re doing something like driving, you have faster reaction times. 

#2. Weight Management

Did you know that approximately 2/3rds of Americans are overweight or obese? Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. However, being overweight or obese does increase your risk for many different health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Pickleball can help you lose and/or manage your weight so that you can enjoy better overall health.

Pickleball is more strenuous than going on a walk but a lot easier than a tennis match, making it a fantastic way to get some aerobic exercise in. Since it’s not as strenuous as other sports, it’s a fantastic option for those who are older, not very sporty, or trying to be more active without hurting or overexerting themselves. 

#3. Improved Mood

The world is changing in regards to how people view mental health. While some people still do roll their eyes at the idea of depression and anxiety, the fact of the matter is that your mood, mental health issues, and the like are part of your overall health. Pickleball can help to improve your mood and help you deal with issues like stress because it’s physical activity that releases endorphins.

As Elle Woods says, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy!” 

The endorphins alone aren’t what can cause pickleball to improve your mood. Pickleball is a very social sport, which is part of why it got so popular. Especially after the pandemic, people are lonelier than ever before. Being able to socialize with others on a regular basis improves mood.

Plus, the better you get at pickleball, the more confidence you can enjoy from your capabilities. Having confidence is another great mood booster. 

#4. Decreased Risk Of Heart Disease

Many people hate cardio, but it’s important for your heart health. Fortunately, pickleball is a way to get your heart pumping that’s fun, not torture on a treadmill. When you play pickleball regularly, you can lower your blood pressure, decrease cholesterol, and improve your overall heart health. 

Bear in mind here that you should always consult with your doctor before starting a new sport. If you have any health concerns, your doctor will be able to advise you on appropriate exercises for you. 

#5. Less Joint Strain

Some sports can be very hard on your joints, but pickleball is low impact. What this means is that even though you’re ducking and serving around the court, pickleball courts are small, so there is less strain on your joints because of these movements. This makes it a great sport for those who are older or who have a history of joint and/or muscle strain. 

Fresh Surfaces For Your Backyard Or Community Court

Pickle Court Surfacing is here to help you keep your court a healthy place to be, not a dangerous one. If you’ve installed a brand new court, count on us for a beautiful court surface that’s made to last and customized to your desires. If your current court is in need of resurfacing, give us a call and let us help you restore it to its former glory – and safety.

Contact us today to learn more about our court surfacing services.

September may seem early to start thinking about whether you can use your backyard sports court during the fall and winter, but since many court surfacing companies close for the season starting in October, it’s good to know whether or not you can use your backyard court during this time of year. 

Here is what you need to know about if you can play on your court during the winter months, if you should turn your court into an ice rink, and more. Let’s get into it. 

Should You Play On Your Outdoor Court During The Winter?

Technically, yes, you can. However, playing on your outdoor court during the winter can be dangerous. Ice can form, snow can pile up on the court, melted snow or rain can create puddles that make it easier to lose your footing, and more. Winter weather can damage your court and its accessories, like the nets.

This is why most people put their court accessories away during the winter months and use things like court covers in order to keep their courts protected. 

Should You Turn Your Backyard Court Into An Ice Rink?

Look up whether you can use your backyard court during the winter months, and you’ll come across two types of articles: how you can winterize your court and how to turn your backyard court into an ice rink. Turning your court into an ice rink certainly sounds fun — but should you do it?

In short, no, absolutely not. Trying to turn your backyard court into an ice rink can damage the court. It can also be dangerous to you and anyone else who tries to ice skate on your makeshift rink. Ice rinks are very carefully maintained and have nice, thick ice so that you can safely skate on them. Makeshift ice rinks are neither of these things.

In order to preserve your court and your health and safety, keep the ice skating to the real ice rinks. While it may not be as convenient as being able to ice skate in your backyard, it’s better for you and your court.

What To Do If You Want To Play Sports In The Winter

If you want to maintain your pickleball, tennis, or basketball skills during the winter months, head on over to an indoor court! As previously mentioned, it can be dangerous to play these sports on your outdoor court during the winter. However, indoor courts are shielded from seasonal dangers like ice, making them the perfect place to maintain your skills when it’s freezing out.

How Can You Prepare Your Outdoor Sports Court For The Winter?

To prevent cold temperatures, snow, and ice from damaging your outdoor court, there are a few essential steps you must take.

First, you’ll want to clear away any debris that has accumulated on its surface, especially fallen leaves. If you let leaves, branches, and dirt remain on your outdoor court through the winter, they can cause mold and mildew growth, causing damage. You’ll also want to remove any equipment like nets and windscreens and store them somewhere safe until the weather warms up.

You should also take care of any needed repairs or resurfacing before winter hits. Because water expands when it freezes, the season’s freezing and thawing cycles can cause cracks and birdbaths to worsen. 

Finally, you may want to consider getting a court cover to protect your court from the elements, especially if you get a lot of snow and ice where you live. 

Resurface Your Sports Court Before Temperatures Drop Too Low

If your court needs resurfacing, it’s best to have this done before the temperatures start dropping. Any damage will only worsen over the winter months. Many sports court surfacing companies shut down during the winter months due to the fact that the cold weather impacts the surfacing process. When it gets too cold, the surfaces don’t dry properly, which leads to all sorts of damage down the line.

Weather matters, too. In the fall and winter, it tends to be overcast, rainy, or snowing. In order for your court surface to be properly resurfaced or installed, it both needs to be warm enough and it needs to be sunny out. Pickle Court Surfacing is here to help you keep your backyard court in good condition for as long as possible. For best results, you’ll want to have repairs done before temperatures start to dip, so if you need court repair or resurfacing, contact us while it’s still warm out. With a little extra care, your court can survive the winter without any further damage.