On August 1, 1927, Cherepovets Governorate was abolished, and its territory was merged into Cherepovets Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. The uyezds were abolished as well and, effective October 1, 1927, Pestovsky District was established, with the administrative center in Pestovo. On September 19, 1927, Pestovo was granted work settlement status. On July 23, 1930 the okrugs were abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On July 5, 1944, Pestovsky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast. On January 12, 1965, Pestovo was granted the town status.