The development of local self-government in modern terms has an enormous value for the state. Large attention is paid to the questions of participation of population in local self-government. The article describes the forms of direct participation of population in local self-government. Territorial public self-government is viewed as one of the most accessible forms of participation of citizens in municipal management. The analysis is given to historical experience of development of territorial public self-government in Russia and in Barnaul. The authors analyzes legal framework of organization of territorial public self-government. Practical experience of realization of territorial public self-government on a certain territory is studied. Russian and foreign experience of citizens » participation in the management of the territory is investigated. The legislation of foreign countries does not have the term «territorial self-government.» Its equivalent is the term «organization of housing motion». The authors conclude that organizations of homeowners and local public self-government in foreign countries have the same problems and functions. Thus for successful development of territorial public self-government in Russia it is useful to use not only home but also foreign experience.