Backyard Buyer’s Guide
How to Plan Your Backyard Pickleball Court
Everything you need to know before you build — dimensions, drainage, fencing, lighting, and the questions to ask before signing a contract.
So You're Building a Pickleball Court in Your Backyard.
Welcome to the club — pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and a custom backyard court is one of the best ways to actually play it the way you want, when you want.
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans to Lafayette — we’ve been building backyard courts for South Louisiana homeowners for 40+ years.
But before you start ripping up the lawn, there are a handful of things every Louisiana homeowner should think through: how much space you actually have, what surface to choose, how to handle drainage on clay soil, what fencing and lighting will run you, and how multi-use options can stretch your investment further.
This guide walks through all of it — written from 40+ years of building courts across South Louisiana. No fluff, no upsells. Just what you need to know.
Dimensions
How Much Space Do You Need?
A regulation pickleball court has a fixed playing surface — but the total footprint you actually need depends on safety run-off, fencing, and play style.
20 × 44 ft
Play Surface
The actual painted court area — same for singles and doubles play.
30 × 60 ft
Recommended Footprint
Minimum fenced area we recommend for safe run-off and movement around the court (~1,800 sq ft).
34 × 64 ft
Tournament Size
Premium build with extra run-off for full-extension shots — what serious players plan around.
Net height: 36 inches at sidelines / 34 inches at center. Non-volley zone (the "kitchen"): 7 feet from the net on each side. Service area: 10 × 15 feet per box.
Site Planning
Six Things to Plan Before You Break Ground
Each of these affects the final design, timeline, and price. Better to think through them now than mid-build.
Lot Size & Orientation
Confirm you have at least a 30×60 ft buildable area. North-south orientation reduces sun glare during evening play — the Louisiana sun is no joke.
Drainage
Fencing
10-ft chain-link is standard. Vinyl-coated for aesthetics, windscreen for privacy and ball control. Partial fencing (one side open) is a common cost-saver.
Lighting
Evening play matters in Louisiana’s heat. Court-grade LED lighting on two poles is the standard — plan for the electrical run during site prep.
HOA & Permits
Multi-Sport Use
The Process
What to Expect: Contract to First Game
A typical Louisiana backyard build runs 2 to 6 weeks depending on surface choice and site complexity. Here’s every phase, in order.
Consultation
We visit your site (or review photos), discuss goals, surface choice, and budget.
Quote & Design
Custom site-specific quote within 1–2 days. Lock in surface, dimensions, and accessories.
Site Prep
Grading, excavation, drainage installation, base prep. The most variable phase.
Foundation
Concrete pad pour (for tile/acrylic builds), or existing-slab assessment for painted lines.
Surface & Striping
Tile install, acrylic application, or line painting. Plus net posts, fencing, and lighting if included.
First Game
Final walkthrough, you sign off, paddles come out. Most courts are playable within hours of finishing.
One Court, Many Sports
Already Have a Driveway or Basketball Court? You're Halfway There.
The cheapest way to a backyard pickleball court is to add pickleball lines on an existing slab. If you have a driveway, basketball half-court, or pad you’re not using, painted-line installs can have you playing in days, not weeks.
Got an underused tennis court? One tennis footprint can host up to four pickleball courts.
Painted lines on existing concrete is the fastest, most affordable path to play. Multi-sport setups let one slab serve pickleball + basketball + family hangouts.
- Use the slab you already have — no new foundation work
- Multi-sport lines coexist (different colors for each sport)
- Net posts can be portable or sleeved into the slab
- Typical install: 2–4 days
Backyard Court FAQs
The questions Louisiana homeowners actually ask before they build.
How much space do I need for a backyard pickleball court?
A regulation pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long for the play surface. We recommend a minimum fenced footprint of 30×60 feet (1,800 sq ft) for safe run-off. Tournament-grade builds use 34×64 ft. See our full pickleball court pillar for more on court types.
Can I build a pickleball court in my Louisiana backyard year-round?
Yes — Louisiana’s mild climate means we install courts year-round. The biggest weather factor is rainy days during site prep and concrete curing, which can extend the timeline by a few days. Hurricane season is the one consideration: we plan large builds around the Aug–Oct peak. For storm-damaged or storm-rebuilt courts, see our resurfacing services.
What about drainage on clay soil?
Drainage is the #1 site issue in Louisiana. Clay soil holds water, and a poorly drained court will pool and damage the surface. We grade the site for proper slope (typically 1% pitch). Skipping this step is the most common reason courts need early resurfacing.
Do I need a permit to build a pickleball court in Louisiana?
Most South Louisiana parishes require a building permit for permanent court installations — especially if you’re adding fencing or pouring concrete. HOAs may have additional restrictions on sport courts. We can pull permits as part of your project or guide you through the process. Get in touch and we’ll walk you through your parish’s requirements.
How long will a backyard court last?
It depends on the surface. Painted lines on concrete need a repaint every 3–5 years. Modular tile lasts 10–15 years. Acrylic-on-concrete lasts 15–25 years with proper resurfacing every 7–10 years. See our full surface comparison for lifespan and maintenance details.
Should I add lighting?
In Louisiana’s heat, most homeowners end up playing more in the evening than midday. Court-grade LED lighting on two poles is the standard upgrade. The cost is mostly in the electrical run and pole installation, and we recommend planning lighting at the same time as the build rather than retrofitting. If you’re weighing a lighting upgrade against a premium surface, we can help you compare.
Can I play other sports on a pickleball court?
Yes — multi-sport conversions are common. We can add basketball lines, badminton lines, or hopscotch overlays on the same slab using different color paint. The play surface stays the same; only the striping changes. For converting an existing tennis court instead of building new, see our tennis-to-pickleball conversion guide.
How much does a backyard pickleball court cost in Louisiana?
Cost depends on surface choice, court size, site prep, fencing, and lighting. Painted lines on existing concrete is the most affordable path; modular tile is the highest price; acrylic-on-concrete is the premium tier. For a full breakdown of what drives cost, see our Louisiana pickleball court cost guide — or request a custom quote for your specific site. See our pickleball court gallery for built-court examples.
13,000+ courts. 40+ years. One free quote.
Ready to Plan Your Backyard Court?
Tell us about your space, your timeline, and how you want to play. We’ll come back with a custom quote in 1–2 business days.