Sawmill Lakes Homeowners Association

04/07/2026

See this info regarding curbside yard waste pickup.

03/01/2026

Flags are flying proud today 🇺🇸

02/23/2026

SPRING CLEANING HEAD START

Jacksonville is now starting to creep out of the winter season. Please take this opportunity to pay attention to your property and address any deferred home maintenance projects that may have potential to become compliance issues with the HOA if not resolved. Your attention to this is much appreciated!

These home maintenance projects may include but are not limited to:

ALL HOLIDAY DECOR should now be removed and stored away.

Remove dirt/mold/mildew from roofs, house, driveways, sidewalks, fences, and mailboxes.

Mailbox painted and in good condition (flag, pole, and box).

Lawns be properly maintained and should be mowed, edged, and free of weeds.

Trim your hanging trees that are near sidewalks and roads to the 14' FDOT height.

Keep toys and trash bins stored out of sight when not in use.

THANK YOU for your attention to this, and your effort in keeping your home and the community a BEAUTIFUL place to live!

02/21/2026

From the SML Board:

In light of the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy yesterday in St. Johns County involving a mini dirt bike and a motor vehicle, the Sawmill Lakes Board of Directors extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and all those affected. This incident serves as an important reminder to all residents to prioritize safety within our community.

Please remember to:
• Obey the posted community speed limit of 25 MPH
• Come to a complete stop at all stop signs
• Remain alert and watch carefully for pedestrians, cyclists, and children at play

We are also re-posting the Sawmill Lakes rules governing the operation of e-bikes and other Personal Motorized Devices (PMDs). We strongly encourage parents and guardians of minors who operate e-bikes or PMDs to review these rules carefully with their children. Ensuring that young riders understand and follow community guidelines is essential for their safety and for the safety of others.

Let us all work together to keep Sawmill Lakes a safe and caring community.

• E-bikes (of all classes), PMDs (such as electric scooters, hoverboards, and power assisted bicycles), and motorized off-highway recreational vehicles such as minibikes or pocket bikes ( miniature, motorized two-wheeled vehicle designed for recreational use and resembling a full-sized sport motorcycle) must comply with Florida state laws and regulations, including the wearing of protective helmets (under the age of 16) and displaying front and rear lights between dusk and dawn.
• NOTE: motorized off-highway recreational vehicles (that include minibikes or pocket bikes) are not permitted on any street or sidewalk in Sawmill Lakes.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs can be used under human power only within any portion of the Sawmill Lakes Park, including the parking lot, sidewalks, basketball court, and playing field.
• No bikes, e-bikes, or PMDs are permitted at any time inside the fenced limits of the pool area, playground, pickleball court, and on the covered clubhouse patios at the Sawmill Lakes Park.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs must not exceed 10 MPH on all sidewalks within Sawmill Lakes, and the entirety of Sawmill Lakes Park.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs must not exceed the posted 25 mph speed limit on all Sawmill Lakes streets.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs must always yield to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks and give an audible signal before overtaking or passing.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs must operate with due care and in a careful and prudent manner at all times.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs shall not be operated in a manner that will cause damage or disturbance to any area, structure, or surface at Sawmill Lakes Park, any common area, or any residential property.
• Bikes, e-bikes, and PMDs shall not carry more riders or passengers than designated by the device’s operating manual or instructions as being proper and safe.
• Parents or guardians of minors violating these rules will be held financially accountable for any damage to community property.
• Parents of minors operating bikes, e-bikes, or PMDs within Sawmill Lakes are responsible for informing them of these rules.

Respectfully,

Your Sawmill Lakes HOA Board of Directors

12/17/2025

Good afternoon neighbors,

Please be mindful if you have a sidewalk that passes through your driveway to leave a space so that access and safe passage along the sidewalk is left open. Parking can be difficult with many cars and/or smaller driveways, but blocking the walkway places pedestrians, pets and owners, bicycles, etc. at risk as they must step off the sidewalk and into the road and traffic to continue on their path. This is an HOA policy, a SJC Ordinance, and a Florida Statute for this very reason. Holidays are more difficult to manage this as you may have more company and vehicles at your home, but please remain mindful, and help Sawmill Lakes to improve this issue and safety as we go into the 2026 year.

Thank you

Florida Statute: 316.1945 Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places.—(1) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:
(a) Stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
1. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.
2. On a sidewalk.
3. Within an intersection.
4. On a crosswalk.
5. Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the Department of Transportation indicates a different length by signs or markings.

12/17/2025

10/14/2025

Seen in the neighborhood 😱💀

09/10/2025

Good afternoon neighbors,

Please review these quick and easy reminders if you have a pet in Sawmill Lakes:

PET WASTE
Please be respectful and clean up all areas including sidewalks/walkways, vacant lots, common areas and individual’s property. Pets need be leashed and under control at all times. Dog waste is more than just a smelly and unsightly mess. It’s also a breeding ground for infection. Bacteria, worms and other parasites thrive in the waste until it’s cleaned up or washed into the water supply. Giardia, ringworm, roundworm and E. coli are examples of such inhabitants, all of which are commonly found in dog f***s and are easily transferable upon contact. Local pet ordinances require pet owners to properly dispose of pet droppings. Neglecting to do so can result in heavy fines in addition to possible legal action by local code enforcement and/or animal control division for your county.

Although this may not be a pleasant chore, it is the responsibility of a pet owner!

PET NOISE
Per the HOA governing documents, the HOA does not have specific guidance as it pertains to noise, and therefore defaults to the County standard on identifying the noise and how to request correction in a noncompliance situation as identified in St. Johns County Ordinance on Noise (V16.041211). Please know that if you are experiencing noise that meets this guideline you can call the non-emergency SJSO number. Again, the board will use the county ordinance as precedence.

PET OFF LEASH
When taking your dog out in the community, please be sure that your pet is on a leash at all times! This is not only a rule for Sawmill Lakes, but again a State Law and County Ordinance. While you may have a well behaved pet and think your dog does not need a leash (and you may be correct they are well trained), many other neighbors or pets may not have this reaction or a well trained dog who will respond in turn. Any dog off private property of your own lot will need to be securely on a leash. This is for your safety, the safety of your pet, and the safety of others.

Feel free to contact your local Animal Control for information regarding any of these ordinances for more detailed information.

Thank you for taking time to review these Pet Reminders, and have a safe and wonderful week rest of your week!

07/07/2025

Hello SML Neighbors!

Please take a moment to review few reminders for review from the Board of Directors:

TREE TRIMMING: Homeowners are responsible to keep the trees on their property pruned. Trees on homeowner’s property that overhang sidewalks and roadways specifically need to be maintained at the 14-foot FDOT standard of height, so that low hanging branches do not impact or damage larger vehicles. Low limbs can also impede emergency vehicles and create safety concerns for other vehicles, pedestrians, etc. Similarly, any tree branches on a homeowner’s property that obscure a clear vision of a stop sign by approaching motorists must also be trimmed to provide a clear line of sight. As we are at the beginning of the hurricane season, if you have not already looked at your trees, now is a good time to take action! Tree trimming does not require any HOA approval. Tree removals need to be submitted to ARC for approval and mitigation as needed.

APPROVAL FOR EXTERIOR PROJECTS: Reminder that all exterior modifications to your home or property must be submitted and approved by the ARC prior to work starting. Owners who start projects before submission and approval will receive a fine and also be subject to further Covenant violations and fines. If you have questions about a potential project at your home, please contact Erin Hires: [email protected].

TRASH AND LAWN DEBRIS: Any neighbor placing trash bag, trash or recycling receptacles, building materials, and lawn debris in the streets (including the curb) is in violation of the prevailing covenants and these actions are prohibited. Items should be placed on the lawn or a driveway alongside (but not in) the streets. As we approach the most active period of the hurricane season, it is now more important to keep neighbors and/or your lawn service provider from blocking our storm drain gutters. It is also a violation of the county laws to place anything in the streets and roadways, and this can create driving hazards, and potentially causes accidents. The SML governing documents follow newly enacted Florida State Law that allows for these materials placed for pickup on the day before the scheduled pickup service. Trash and yard debris receptacles must also be removed from sight from the front of the home within 24 hours following the collection. Homeowners are also responsible for cleaning up any residual yard or waste debris left by the trash collection company. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to ensure that their lawn care company is made aware of, and follows, these rules and violations and possible fines the responsibility for the homeowner.

CURBS, DRIVEWAY, LAWN, MAILBOXES: When completing exterior property upkeep and maintenance please be sure to maintain all areas that you are responsible for. Homeowners are responsible for cleaning their driveways, and sidewalk (if applicable) as well as curbing up to the asphalt roadway. Mailboxes should also be kept clean and in good condition including repainting any portions of the mailbox base and post where bare metal is showing. Shrubs and foliage should be pruned. Lawns should be regularly mowed, weeded, and edged including the area between sidewalks and roadways.

NOISE AND HOURS: Please note, from the HOA CCR and ARC Criteria the specifications for times that outside projects may commence: No outside work that will generate loud noise levels may start before 8:00 a.m. and must conclude by sunset (Article VI. Section 5. Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions).

Please refer to the community governing documents found on the Sawmill Lakes website for further guidance.

Thank you for your time in reviewing these reminders, and for helping keep Sawmill Lakes safe and beautiful!

02/26/2025

Please note this information on e-bike safety!

02/19/2025

SAWMILL LAKES TALENT EXHIBIT:
SAVE THE DATE!
MARCH 30TH - SML CLUB HOUSE

SML has many talented residents, photographers, artists, quilters, authors and on and on! An exhibition has been organized to share these many talents with our neighbors. We are still in the planning stage and invite any one interested in participating to attempt our next meeting this Sunday, February 16th at 2PM at our Club House.

Looking for more participants, so please spread the word; The goal is to make this a yearly event!

Talents are not limited - - do you make jewelry - pottery - any talent you would like to share is welcome.

There are messages on the SML page and will also add to the SML website, or you can reach out to the homeowner coordinating directly (Brenda Wagner) at: [email protected]

10/02/2024

Lawn Debris pick up and Prep

In advance of this Thursday's scheduled yard debris pick, Sawmill Lake residents are reminded to adhere to the guidelines published by St Johns County Solid Waste Division in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Not adhering to these guidelines could result in your yard debris not being removed, and a possible violation of Sawmill Lakes Homeowner Guidelines.

Questions can be directed to the County Solid Waste division at (904) 827-6980.

Branch and Shrub Stacking: Branches, shrubs, and stumps, each under six feet long and 50 pounds, should be stacked neatly parallel to the curb.

Debris Containerization: Leaves, grass clippings, and small debris must be bagged, bundled, or placed in a container with a maximum capacity of 32 gallons and a weight limit of 50 pounds.

Large Yard Waste Piles: Large piles must be neat, and those requiring separation will not be collected.

Palm Fronds: Stack palm fronds in piles with the fan facing away from the curb.

Do not blow leaves and yard waste into the street and storm drains that empty into nearby waterways.

Yard waste placed in front of vacant lots, lands, or properties will not be collected.