Saratoga council narrows 2026 weed‑abatement list, gives two owners brief cure period

After a public hearing that included dozens of resident statements and staff briefings, the Saratoga City Council voted unanimously April 15 to remove 10 parcels from the county’s 2026 weed‑abatement commencement list and to give two owners a short cure period to finish work.

City Code Compliance Officer Nathan Sauguszumi told the council the program, established under Saratoga Municipal Code, Article 7‑15, is designed to mitigate fire hazards by ensuring seasonal vegetation is managed and to recover county abatement costs via a special assessment on an owner’s property tax bill if the county must clear the site. He said properties approved tonight for the commencement report will be charged a $296 inspection fee and warned that administration and noncompliance fees can exceed $2,300 if abatement work is performed by the county.

“Onc…