The article examines the correlation between urban planning and land competence of local self-government bodies. The author proceeds from the organic interrelation of urban planning, land and housing legislation, determined by the strong connection between urban development objects and land, as well as by the public significance of territorial development regulation. Particular attention is paid to the distinction between the categories of land, land plot and settlement lands, the principle of unity of the fate of land plots and objects located on them, and the distribution of powers between the Government of the Russian Federation, executive authorities of constituent entities of the Russian Federation and local self-government bodies in transferring land from one category to another. The author substantiates the need for a more comprehensive consideration of the position of municipalities in decision-making that determines the subsequent regime of urban planning use of territories.