People judge books by their cover and buildings by their cleanliness. Municipal government buildings face double the judgment. A messy auditorium, dusty library, or sticky floor in a courthouse can damage public trust fast. On the other hand, spaces that appear ‘too clean’ may spark debate over how tax dollars should be spent.

County governments, city councils, towns, and other local authorities can avoid headwinds by balancing cleaning standards across the portfolio.

Strong cleaning standards for municipal government buildings give you a fair, repeatable way to clean every site without over-cleaning low-risk spaces or missing high-risk ones. Done right, you get healthier buildings, safer work conditions, fewer complaints, and costs you can explain and predict.

Here are three steps that can help government facility managers design a janitorial service plan that sends ‘the right message.’

Step 1: Divide your portfolio into zones

If you manage a mixed municipal portfolio, consistency matters, but so does common sense. The easiest way to balance both is to use a single-core framework and add building-specific layers.

Start by zoning each building into three basic types of space:

  • Public-facing zones: lobbies, counters, corridors, restrooms, meeting rooms
  • Staff-only zones: offices, break rooms, copy rooms, staff restrooms
  • Restricted zones: evidence rooms, holding areas, server rooms, mechanical spaces

Next, tag each zone with a risk level:

  • Low risk: private offices, low-traffic admin areas
  • Medium risk: conference rooms, libraries, typical hallways
  • High risk: public restrooms, locker rooms, holding areas, medical response areas

Then define task types so everyone uses the same language:

  • Daily: the must-do items that protect health and first impressions
  • Periodic: weekly or monthly work that prevents buildup
  • Deep clean: detail work after heavy use or seasonal needs
  • Restorative: strip and wax, carpet extraction, floor refinishing

From here, set a minimum baseline standard that applies to every municipal building, then add “add-ons” based on building type, hours, and traffic.

Step 2: Determine the ‘non-negotiable’ base standards.

No matter the facility, these items keep you covered:

  • High-touch points: door handles, push plates, rails, elevator buttons, service counters
  • Restrooms: clean, disinfect, restock, and check odors (good cleaning shouldn’t smell like perfume)
  • Trash and recycling: remove, re-line, spot-clean containers, manage overflow
  • Entryways: mats, vestibules, salt and grit control, glass at entrances
  • Floors: dust mop or vacuum, spot-mop spills, edges in high-visibility areas
  • Break areas: tables, sinks, microwaves, fridge handles, touch points
  • Consumables: soap, towels, tissue, liners, seat covers (if used)

Indoor air ties in, too. Custodial teams reduce dust through good vacuuming and damp wiping. Facilities usually handle filter changes and HVAC checks, but the standard should specify who owns what and how it’s logged.

Step 3: Set frequencies using foot traffic, hours of operation, and risk (not just square footage)

Square footage tells you how much floor space exists, not how much mess happens.

Set cleaning frequencies using three simple drivers:

  • Foot traffic (including peak hours and event spikes)
  • Hours of operation (8 to 5 vs 24/7)
  • Risk and consequences (public health, privacy, safety)

A quick example: two 20,000-square-foot buildings. One is a finance office open weekdays, the other is a recreation center open nights and weekends. The rec center needs multiple restroom checks, more floor care, and day porter coverage. The finance office can focus on nightly service and weekly detail work.

Plan seasonal adjustments too. Flu season increases touch-point demand. Wildfire smoke days and dry winters raise dust load at entries. Special events can double restroom use in two hours. Build “event-based” tasks into the standard so the team doesn’t have to guess.

Step 4: Bring in the professionals

Municipal cleaning standards work when they’re clear, realistic, and tied to how each building is used. Start with a baseline that protects health and first impressions. Adjust frequency by traffic, hours, and risk, then tailor add-ons for courthouses, libraries, law enforcement, 24/7 call centers, recreation centers, public meeting spaces, performing arts venues, classrooms, and conferencing.

Not sure how to balance it all? Municipal governments can bring in facility services professionals, such as Oneliance, to design and implement a consistent program. After all, nothing matters more to residents than trusting that local officials have their health, safety, and best interests at heart.