Skip to content
PermitRoadmap

Project Gear

Best Laser Measures for the Floor Plan Your Permit Asks For

Laser distance measures compared on what matters when you draw a dimensioned floor plan or site plan: published accuracy and range, the maker's sketch app, plan export and laser safety.

Updated Oct 5, 2026

As an Amazon Associate, PermitRoadmap earns from qualifying purchases. It does not change the permit information on this site.

Many permit offices ask for a floor plan with a remodel, addition or conversion application, with every room dimensioned and door and window sizes shown. A laser measure makes those numbers faster to take and easier to trust, and a laser that pairs with the maker's sketch app can turn them into a plan you can export as a PDF. It does not replace a designer or engineer where your office requires one.

Key takeaways

  • Check the rule for your address before you draw anything. What the plan must show varies by place.
  • For a floor plan, pick a laser that works with the maker's sketch app, such as Leica DISTO Plan or Bosch MeasureOn.
  • Plan around the maker's accuracy number for poor conditions. Dark, shiny or sunlit surfaces make every laser less precise.
  • A laser measures the house, not the lot. Property lines come from your plat or survey.
  • Some work, such as removing a load-bearing wall, needs drawings from a licensed engineer or designer, however neat your sketch is.

How we compare laser measures

We did not test these lasers. We read each maker's user manuals, data sheets and app listings, noted the accuracy and range the maker publishes for both good and poor conditions, checked the laser class and safety statement, and checked that each Amazon listing is sold by Amazon itself.

Our picks

  1. 1Best overall for a floor plan

    Leica Geosystems DISTO D2G Green Beam Laser Measure

    Model DISTO D2G (D2G-2)

    Permit paperwork: Complete

    A pocket laser with a green beam that is easier to see in a bright room, and NFC tap pairing with Leica's DISTO Plan app for sketching a room-by-room floor plan on your phone.

    Why we picked it: Pocket size, a green beam, tap pairing with Leica's DISTO Plan app, and the most complete paperwork here, including a US laser safety statement.

    Permit paperwork

    • Yes:Published accuracy (1.5 mm good, 3 mm poor conditions (ISO 16331-1))
    • Yes:Published range (400 ft good, 230 ft poor conditions)
    • Yes:Maker's floor-plan app (Leica DISTO Plan)
    • Yes:Plan export (PDF or drawing file) (JPG, PDF, DXF, DWG; the app has in-app purchases)
    • Yes:Laser class and safety standard stated (Class 2, IEC 60825-1:2014, 21 CFR 1040 statement)
    • Yes:User manual published

    Specs

    Range
    Up to 400 ft in good conditions; 230 ft in poor conditions
    Accuracy
    1.5 mm (0.06 in) in good conditions, 3 mm (0.12 in) in poor ones, within 10 m (33 ft)
    Connection
    Bluetooth and NFC, Leica DISTO Plan app
    Laser
    Green beam, class 2
    Protection
    IP54
    Power
    2 x AAA

    Maker documents

    Check price on AmazonChecked 2026-10-05
  2. 2Best for site plans and outdoor distances

    Bosch BLAZE GLM400CL Outdoor Connected Laser Measure

    Model GLM400CL

    Permit paperwork: Complete

    A long-range laser with a camera viewfinder that helps you find the dot outdoors, for site plans where the distance from the house to a fence or another building matters. It pairs with Bosch's free MeasureOn app.

    Why we picked it: Its camera viewfinder helps you find the laser dot outside, where a site plan's house-to-fence and building-to-building distances get hard to measure, and Bosch publishes a full laser safety statement.

    Permit paperwork

    • Yes:Published accuracy (±1/16 in typical, ±1/10 in in poor conditions)
    • Yes:Published range (400 ft typical, 196 ft in poor conditions)
    • Yes:Maker's floor-plan app (Bosch MeasureOn, named on Bosch's product page)
    • Yes:Plan export (PDF or drawing file) (Plans as PDF; CAD export needs the paid PRO tier)
    • Yes:Laser class and safety standard stated (Class 2 with a 21 CFR 1040 statement)
    • Yes:User manual published

    Specs

    Range
    3 in to 400 ft typical; 196 ft in poor conditions
    Accuracy
    ±1/16 in typical; ±1/10 in in poor conditions
    Camera
    5 MP viewfinder with zoom to find the laser dot
    Connection
    Bluetooth, Bosch MeasureOn app (Bosch says photos do not transfer)
    Protection
    IP54
    Laser
    Class 2

    Maker documents

    Check price on AmazonChecked 2026-10-05
  3. 3Best for a whole house or gut remodel

    Leica Geosystems DISTO X3 Rugged Laser Measure

    Model DISTO X3

    Permit paperwork: Complete

    A tougher, more precise laser for measuring a whole house or a gut remodel. Leica's US technical sheet lists floor plans from its DISTO Plan app and export as JPG, PDF, DXF and DWG.

    Why we picked it: The tightest published accuracy and the longest range in this list, a rugged IP65 body, and Leica lists PDF and CAD drawing export through its app.

    Permit paperwork

    • Yes:Published accuracy (1.0 mm good, 2.0 mm poor conditions)
    • Yes:Published range (500 ft good, 260 ft poor conditions)
    • Yes:Maker's floor-plan app (Leica DISTO Plan (Sketch Plan, Smart Room))
    • Yes:Plan export (PDF or drawing file) (JPG, PDF, DXF, DWG; the app has in-app purchases)
    • Partly:Laser class and safety standard stated (Class 2 per IEC 60825-1:2014; no 21 CFR 1040 statement in the manual)
    • Yes:User manual published

    Specs

    Range
    Up to 500 ft in good conditions; 260 ft in poor conditions
    Accuracy
    1.0 mm (0.04 in) in good conditions, 2.0 mm (0.08 in) in poor ones, within 5 m (16 ft)
    Connection
    Bluetooth, Leica DISTO Plan app
    Protection
    IP65, drop tested from 2 m
    Power
    2 x AA
    Laser
    Class 2

    Maker documents

    Check price on AmazonChecked 2026-10-05
  4. 4Best compact laser for single rooms

    Leica Geosystems DISTO D1 Compact Laser Measure

    Model DISTO D1

    Permit paperwork: Complete

    A small, room-scale laser for dimensioning a bathroom, bedroom or kitchen plan. Its range is short for a lot, but it works with the same DISTO Plan app as Leica's larger tools.

    Why we picked it: Its 120-foot range is plenty for a bathroom, bedroom or kitchen plan, and it works with the same DISTO Plan app as Leica's larger lasers.

    Permit paperwork

    • Yes:Published accuracy (2 mm good, 3 mm poor conditions)
    • Yes:Published range (120 ft good, 100 ft poor conditions)
    • Yes:Maker's floor-plan app (Leica DISTO Plan lists the D1 as compatible)
    • Yes:Plan export (PDF or drawing file) (JPG, PDF, DXF, DWG; the app has in-app purchases)
    • Partly:Laser class and safety standard stated (Class 2 per IEC 60825-1:2014; no 21 CFR 1040 statement in the manual)
    • Yes:User manual published

    Specs

    Range
    0.6 to 120 ft in good conditions; 100 ft in poor conditions
    Accuracy
    2 mm (0.08 in) in good conditions, 3 mm (1/8 in) in poor ones
    Connection
    Bluetooth, Leica DISTO Plan app
    Protection
    IP54
    Laser
    Class 2

    Maker documents

    Check price on AmazonChecked 2026-10-05
  5. 5Best simple laser, no app

    Bosch BLAZE GLM165-25G Green-Beam Laser Measure

    Model GLM165-25G

    Permit paperwork: Mostly complete

    A simple laser for someone who will write the numbers on graph paper. It has no Bluetooth and no app, so nothing turns into a sketch on its own.

    Why we picked it: For writing numbers on graph paper: a 165-foot range, an IP65 body and a published laser safety statement, without Bluetooth or an app to learn.

    Permit paperwork

    • Yes:Published accuracy (±1/16 in typical)
    • Yes:Published range (165 ft typical)
    • No:Maker's floor-plan app (Not a connected model)
    • No:Plan export (PDF or drawing file) (No data output)
    • Yes:Laser class and safety standard stated (Class 2, IEC 60825-1:2014, 21 CFR 1040 statement)
    • Yes:User manual published

    Specs

    Range
    6 in to 165 ft typical
    Accuracy
    ±1/16 in typical
    Connection
    None (no Bluetooth or app)
    Protection
    IP65
    Power
    2 x AA
    Laser
    Green beam, class 2

    Maker documents

    Check price on AmazonChecked 2026-10-05

Side by side

ProductPaperworkRangeAccuracyConnectionLaserProtectionPower
Leica Geosystems DISTO D2G Green Beam Laser Measure
Check price on Amazon
CompleteUp to 400 ft in good conditions; 230 ft in poor conditions1.5 mm (0.06 in) in good conditions, 3 mm (0.12 in) in poor ones, within 10 m (33 ft)Bluetooth and NFC, Leica DISTO Plan appGreen beam, class 2IP542 x AAA
Bosch BLAZE GLM400CL Outdoor Connected Laser Measure
Check price on Amazon
Complete3 in to 400 ft typical; 196 ft in poor conditions±1/16 in typical; ±1/10 in in poor conditionsBluetooth, Bosch MeasureOn app (Bosch says photos do not transfer)Class 2IP54Does not apply
Leica Geosystems DISTO X3 Rugged Laser Measure
Check price on Amazon
CompleteUp to 500 ft in good conditions; 260 ft in poor conditions1.0 mm (0.04 in) in good conditions, 2.0 mm (0.08 in) in poor ones, within 5 m (16 ft)Bluetooth, Leica DISTO Plan appClass 2IP65, drop tested from 2 m2 x AA
Leica Geosystems DISTO D1 Compact Laser Measure
Check price on Amazon
Complete0.6 to 120 ft in good conditions; 100 ft in poor conditions2 mm (0.08 in) in good conditions, 3 mm (1/8 in) in poor onesBluetooth, Leica DISTO Plan appClass 2IP54Does not apply
Bosch BLAZE GLM165-25G Green-Beam Laser Measure
Check price on Amazon
Mostly complete6 in to 165 ft typical±1/16 in typicalNone (no Bluetooth or app)Green beam, class 2IP652 x AA

What permit offices ask a floor plan to show

Requirements vary by place, but city checklists ask for similar things. Milpitas, California asks that the floor plan show every room, its dimensions and its use, plus door and window sizes, and that drawings be fully dimensioned. Boise, Idaho asks for the affected floor drawn twice, as it is now and as proposed, with window and door openings and fixture and cabinet locations. Wellington, Colorado asks for a fully dimensioned plan with all rooms labeled that shows what is existing and what is new. Gilroy, California asks the same of an ADU plan.

Scale matters too. Milpitas asks for floor plans at 1/4 inch to the foot, and Boise says that scale is typical. Even on a drawing to scale, some offices still want the dimensions written on it.

Small jobs can need a plan as well. Milpitas lists window and door replacements that change sizes, kitchen and bathroom remodels that move fixtures or change framing, and garage conversions.

Measuring so the numbers hold up

Makers quote accuracy for good conditions, usually a light, matte surface, and most publish a looser number for poor ones such as dark, shiny or glass targets and bright sun. Use the poor-conditions number when a dimension matters. Record door and window opening sizes, since checklists ask for them. For a basement, measure ceiling heights too: offices set different minimums, and two basement handouts we read use different numbers, so check yours.

Site plans: what a laser can and cannot do

A site plan shows the house, other structures, and distances to property lines and other buildings. Boise lets simple interior remodels write that on a satellite or GIS photo, but for additions it wants lot dimensions that match the recorded plat. A laser only measures to a surface you can hit, so use it for house-to-fence and house-to-shed distances, and take lot lines from your plat or survey.

Who has to draw the plan

Some offices accept a homeowner's drawing. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department's basement handout, for example, says the homeowner, a designer or an architect can provide the floor plan. Others need a licensed professional for parts of the work. Wellington requires engineered designs for enlarged openings or removing a load-bearing wall, and Boise wants sheets with engineered parts stamped by the design engineer. A laser and an app make your measurements better. They do not make a drawing acceptable on their own.

Use the laser safely

Every laser here is class 2. Leica's manual warns that class 2 lasers are not inherently safe for the eyes. Do not stare into the beam or point it at people or pets.

What to hand your designer or permit office

Bring the exported plan, labeled as existing and proposed, with every room's use, dimensions, ceiling heights where they matter, and door and window sizes. Keep your raw readings list with it, and ask your office what format and sheet size it accepts before you print.

Also considered

Products we looked at and left out, as of Oct 5, 2026. No links, because we would not recommend buying them through us.

  • Bosch GLM165-27CG and GLM165-27CGL

    We found no Amazon listing for the GLM165-27CG sold by Amazon or Bosch, and the GLM165-27CGL kit listing was sold by a reseller (JBTools).

  • DeWalt DW099S

    DeWalt's manual describes building floor plans in its Tool Connect app, but the current Tool Connect app listing describes a tool inventory manager and does not mention measuring or floor plans, so we could not confirm it still does that.

  • DeWalt DW0330SN

    DeWalt's manual says its app marks up room photos with your measurements rather than sketching a floor plan, and we could not confirm the app's current status.

  • Klein Tools 93LDM100C

    Klein's manual and product page show no Bluetooth or app, so readings go on paper. The Bosch GLM165-25G fills that role here with a longer range.

  • Leica DISTO D110

    Its Amazon listing was sold by a reseller (Tools World Store), not Leica or Amazon.

Before you order, check your address

Permit rules change from one city to the next. The free check tells you what your building department requires, the documents to prepare and who to call.

Check my project

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a floor plan to get a remodel permit?
Often, yes. Many offices ask for a floor plan with each room's dimensions and use, plus door and window sizes, for remodels, additions and conversions. Requirements vary by place, so check your address and your office's checklist.
Will a laser measure make my drawing ready for the permit?
No. It speeds up your measurements and makes them more reliable, but the drawing still has to meet your office's checklist, and some work, such as removing a load-bearing wall, needs a licensed engineer or designer.
Can a laser measure show my property lines for a site plan?
No. A laser measures to a surface you can hit, so it works for distances from the house to a fence or another building. Lot lines and lot dimensions come from your recorded plat or a survey.
How accurate are these lasers?
In good conditions the makers quote from 1 mm for the Leica X3 to about 1/16 inch for the Bosch lasers. In poor conditions the numbers get looser, such as 3 mm (about 1/8 inch) for the Leica D1 and D2G. Plan around the poor-conditions number.
Do the floor-plan apps cost money?
Both apps are free to download. Bosch says CAD export and whole-project export with your own logo need its paid MeasureOn PRO tier. Leica says DISTO Plan is basically free but includes in-app purchases. Check the app listing before you rely on a specific export.
Why are the prices not listed?
Prices change often, so the buttons take you to Amazon for the current price. PermitRoadmap earns a commission on qualifying purchases, which does not change our ratings or the permit information.

PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.