In accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine, modern Sevastopol is a city of national importance under the Central Government. There are 4 administrative districts:Balaklavskyy, Gagarinskyy, Leninskyy, Nakhimovskyy, as well as the city of regional subordination - Inkerman, and 29 villages and settlements.

Until 1948 Sevastopol was a city of regional subordination. October 29, 1948 under the decree of the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the RSFSR Sevastopol was recognized as a separate administrative and economic center with its own budget. In connection with the transfer of the Crimea region on 19 February 1954 in the territorial-administrative subordination of the USSR, Sevastopol remained a city of republican subordination in the Ukraine.

In 1991, after the proclamation of independence of Ukraine, Sevastopol became the Ukrainian city under central authority. In March 1995, it was removed from the Crimean autonomous republic, and declared the city under the Central Government’s "special status", which is stipulated for in the adopted in June 1996 Constitution. Parameters of the special status of the city should be stipulated for in the law of Ukraine "On the status of Hero City of Sevastopol, which is pending in Parliament.

The city’s Legislature is the City Council. Executive power is exercised by the city state administration. Chairman of the City State Administration is appointed by the President of Ukraine.

Four districts of the city - Balaklavskyy, Gagarinskyy, Leninskyy and Nakhimovskyy are managed by district administrations headed by chairmen who are appointed by the President of Ukraine.