Cebu City pickleball courts in former warehouses may face safety checks
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Pickleball courts operating inside converted warehouses in Cebu City may face government inspections as the City Council considers a measure seeking checks on their permits and safety compliance.
Authored by Council Member Jose Lorenzo R. Abellanosa, the proposed resolution will be reviewed on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. It covers pickleball courts and similar recreational facilities operating in warehouses and other structures.
Inspections sought
The Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) would lead the inspections. They would do so in coordination with city government offices, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other regulatory agencies.
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The checks would determine whether the facilities are properly permitted. These would also check whether these spaces meet zoning, building, occupancy, fire safety, and other requirements for their current use.
The proposed inspections come amid the reported conversion of warehouses and similar structures into indoor pickleball courts and other recreational facilities in the city.
Safety, public welfare
According to the resolution, converting a structure for recreational use could involve a change from its previously approved purpose.
This means the facilities may need to secure appropriate approvals, permits, or clearances for their operation, depending on the requirements that apply to their current use.
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The BPLO handles applications for new business permits and renewals for establishments operating within Cebu City.
The proposed inspections are intended to check compliance. These would also address potential safety concerns involving customers, workers, nearby residents, and other members of the public.
Pickleball and general welfare
“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 proposal read.
Abellanosa’s proposal cited the Local Government Code of 1991, or Republic Act No. 7160. This gives local governments authority to promote the general welfare within their jurisdictions.
The same law also gives the city mayor authority to issue licenses and permits and to suspend or revoke them when their conditions are violated.
Inspections for public safety
The resolution also cited Republic Act No. 3857, or the Revised Charter of the City of Cebu, which provides the mayor authority over municipal licenses and permits under certain circumstances.
If approved, the resolution would direct the BPLO and other concerned agencies to undertake the proposed inspections and ensure that covered facilities meet applicable requirements.
Copies would also be furnished to the BPLO and the Office of the City Mayor for their information and guidance.
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