What started as a shift toward indoor recreation is now prompting Cebu City officials to look into whether some pickleball courts operating in converted warehouses have the permits and safety clearances required for their current use.
Councilor Jose Lorenzo R. Abellanosa filed a proposed resolution seeking inspections of pickleball courts and similar recreational facilities operating in warehouses and other structures.
The Cebu City Council is set to review the measure on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. It calls on the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to lead the inspections in coordination with concerned city offices, the Bureau of Fire Protection and other regulatory agencies.
The inspections would determine whether the facilities have the necessary permits and comply with zoning, building, occupancy, fire safety, business permit and other applicable requirements.
The resolution noted that “the conversion or use of warehouses and other structures for recreational activities may involve a change in their authorized or approved use.”
Because of the possible change in use, the facilities may be required to undergo appropriate inspections and secure approvals, business permits or clearances from the BPLO and other concerned regulatory offices.
The proposed inspections would also check compliance with applicable laws, city ordinances and regulatory standards.
“The conduct of inspections and verifications is necessary not only to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations but also to protect the safety and welfare of the establishments’ customers, employees, nearby residents, and the general public,” the resolution read.
Abellanosa cited Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which gives local governments authority to promote the general welfare within their jurisdictions.
The proposal also cited the city mayor’s authority to issue licenses and permits and to suspend or revoke them when their conditions are violated.
It further referenced Republic Act No. 3857, or the Revised Charter of the City of Cebu, which provides for the mayor’s authority over municipal licenses and permits under certain circumstances.
The proposed resolution did not identify any specific pickleball facility as being in violation of regulations.
Instead, it seeks a government assessment of warehouses and other structures being used as recreational facilities to determine whether their current use complies with applicable requirements.
If approved, the measure would direct the BPLO and other concerned agencies to conduct the inspections.
Copies of the resolution would also be furnished to the BPLO and the Office of the City Mayor for their information and guidance.
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