The soviet was established in March 1917 after the February Revolution as a representative body of the city's workers and soldiers, while the city already had its well established city council, the Saint Petersburg City Duma (Central Duma).
Soviet tersebut didirikan pada Maret 1917 setelah Revolusi Februari sebagai badan perwakilan buruh dan prajurit di kota tersebut, sementara kota tersebut memiliki dewan kotanya sendiri, Duma Kota Saint Petersburg (Central Duma).