The article discusses the problem of the functioning of public councils under the administrations of Russian cities. The association of initiative citizens in public councils under the mayors of Russian cities plays an important role in the implementation of public control and social participation in the activities of city administrations. The problem of effective interaction between members of city public councils, the transition from formalized decisions to active practice of participation and cooperation for the benefit of the city, criteria for evaluating the work of councils are complex socio-legal issues of urban development. The author of the article defines the vector of problems, on the understanding and solution of which the development of public councils of cities as effective subjects of urban law depends.