Disclosure rules tracker
Laws and MLS rules on disclosing virtually staged or digitally altered listing photos, with links to the original sources. This is not legal advice. Always check the source and your MLS.
AB 723 — Business & Professions Code §10140.8
Brokers and salespersons (or anyone acting for them) who use a digitally altered image in advertising must include a reasonably conspicuous statement on or adjacent to the image that it was altered, plus a link, URL, or QR code to the original unaltered image. On websites they control, they must include the unaltered image or link to it. Covers AI or software that adds, removes, or changes elements such as furniture, fixtures, flooring, paint, landscape, or views. Basic lighting, color, cropping, and exposure edits are excluded.
CRMLS Rule 11.5.2 — Digitally Altered Images
Subscribers must submit the original unaltered image, display it immediately before or after the altered image, and label the altered image "Photo Modified", "Virtually Staged", "Digitally Altered", "AI Altered", or similar in the photo text field. CRMLS says real property elements (wall color, flooring, cabinets, landscaping, etc.) cannot be altered, and AI-generated landscaping images are not permitted in the MLS. CRMLS's knowledge base describes a warning, then a $250 fine if not corrected.
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