Mission Beach volleyball players want city to change hours after citation threat

Dozens of beach volleyball players at South Mission Beach are pushing to change San Diego’s rules after a city park ranger warned them they could be fined for playing before 8 a.m.

The early-morning games are a long-standing routine for the local volleyball community, but they are now under scrutiny following complaints about noise near residential properties, including short-term rentals.

Players say the rule has existed for years but has not been enforced in decades. Many players arrive around sunrise, sharing the beach with surfers and maintenance crews.

The players “all have to be at work at 9, 8:30 [a.m.]. So, they get to play one hour in the morning,” said Alfredo Vejar of the South Mission Beach volleyball community.

Vejar said a park ranger recently warned players they could face fines if they continued playing before the allowed time.

Volleyball player Sharon Hsia of Solana Beach suspects some Airbnb residents near the courts complained, which led to the warning. That sudden change has prompted frustration and questions from regulars.

“The question is, ‘Why now?’” Vejar said.

Players argue the noise level is minimal compared to other activities in the area, including beach maintenance equipment and planes departing from San Diego International Airport. The group has made efforts to be considerate of neighbors, including banning music before 9 a.m., Vejar said.

“They’re all nice to us. I mean, they sit down and enjoy watching the girls and the guys play volleyball,” Vejar said.

Players also point out that they fund and maintain the volleyball courts themselves, including maintaining the equipment.

“This costs the city absolutely nothing,” Hsia said.

A city spokesperson confirmed volleyball is currently restricted until after 8 a.m., citing municipal code and noise regulations near residential areas.

“The simple answer is that the municipal code restricts (§59.5.0502) restricts excessive noise before 7 a.m., and the current rules as you know allow for volleyball to begin at 8 am at this time, as posted online and on signage at the volleyball courts,” the city said in a statement.

“Because of the proximity to residential properties and that organized sports groups typically produce quite a bit of sound, the hours are restricted per the municipal code.”

In response, Hsia launched an online petition to formally change the allowed start time to 6 a.m. It drew more than 1,000 signatures in less than 12 hours.

As of Thursday morning, no tickets had been issued to players despite the warning.

“Everybody that you see here is having fun,” Vejar said.

The city added that residents who want to change the rule can contact their City Council representatives to pursue an amendment.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.