This article characterizes spatial planning in Brazil from a normative point of view. Because of Brazil’s vast geography and uneven development, it is not possible to describe how spatial planning is carried out in all quarters of the country. We explore key aspects of spatial planning in the country using policy goals, the legal and administrative structures where planning operates and the attributes of governance in the Brazilian planning system. The interplay between formal and informal urban development is a crucial aspect in Brazilian planning. Despite huge steps towards citizen engagement and inclusion in planning processes, planning remains largely technocratic.