Objective of the study is to reveal the risks of not achieving the administrative viability of the city management institution. The methodological basis of the research. The article is written in line with the neo-institutional approach, which gives us the opportunity to assess the administrative viability from the standpoint of the adoption of municipal reform by the main actors working in the field of executive bodies of municipal power or in close contact with them. Research results. In the process of studying the issues stated in the relevance, the author of the article came to the conclusion that city management institution at the present time does not ensure the effectiveness of management in the context of its efficiency, and is also not accepted by most of the actors acting in its socio-normative space. Consequently, he needs to change the normative foundations inherent in his ideal model. We consider it unacceptable to return to the procedure of electing the mayor, because the regulatory order that has developed after its rejection is more organic to the practices of federal and regional management. Prospects of the study are related to further research into the risks of not achieving the administrative viability of the city management institution both in the municipalities of the Southern Federal District and in other regions of Russia.