In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, the area was included into Siberia Governorate, and in 1719 transferred to Archangelgorod Governorate. In 1780, the governorate was abolished and transformed into Vologda Viceroyalty. At the same time, Yarensk was granted town rights. In 1918, Yarensky Uyezd was transferred to the newly formed Northern Dvina Governorate, and in 1924 the uyezds were abolished in favor of the new divisions, the districts (raions). Lensky District was formed on June 1, 1924. The idea was to move the administrative center of the district from Yarensk to the "selo" of Lena, but the logistics came out to be too difficult, and the administration remained in Yarensk.