The article deals with problems related to the lack of a clear definition in the Russian legislation such basic government functions, such as "state control", "state supervision" and "permissive functions". Corresponding concepts are not delimited properly and largely duplicated.

Based on the analysis of the legal framework, governing the control, supervision and licensing, as well as scientific literature, devoted to this problem, the authors have identified the main features and the content of the above concepts.

State and municipal control should be considered as independent system functions of federal and regional executive bodies and local governments, which are indispensable to the processes of public administration and local self-government.

The article formulates proposals for the creation of a complex model of state control, which includes such separate sub-functions of public authorities as: a) implementation of state supervision; b) issuance of a permits; c) holding state expertise, and d) formation of state information resources. Аlso the article listed the proposed principles and methods of state and municipal control.