The paper presents a sociological analysis of the initial results of the local government reform. There nature of the main legal measures that directly affect the institutions of local self-government is considered; moreover, it identifies the problems of reform through the analysis of sociological research data. The author notes that despite the emerging positive trends, the main problem remains a clear definition of the extent of independence of newly created local authorities. Based on the consideration of the legal components, as well as these surveys suggest, a conclusion about some inconsistency in the implementation of the main goal of the reform is the creation of local self-government as a low management structure, which is outside the power management hierarchy. The powers of the heads of municipalities remain mainly a declaration, without being provided with real material capacities.