Abstract This article aims to investigate the state capabilities related to the governmental planning at the municipalities of Porto Alegre metropolitan area (RMPA). We analyze the Pluriannual Plans (PPAs) of these municipalities with a focus on their formal/mandatory aspects normatively required. We assume that such plans, as products of state bureaucracies, express the existing/installed state capacities, especially administrative capacity; allowing an analytical approach. Regarding the methodological procedures, exploratory and descriptive research was made, operationalizes through documentary research and content analysis of the PPAs. We found that the PPAs of the studied municipalities presented several fragilities and inconsistencies; and only Porto Alegre offered to the society a plan with all the mandatory elements. In general, while the objectives and goals were the most present components, indicators, guidelines, and diagnoses were little triggered. We understand that such weaknesses reflect a low quality of installed bureaucracies concerning municipal planning. Also, it was verified that the population size of municipalities did not influence this outcome.