AB 723: Digitally Altered Images – SDMLS Requirements
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Authority: California Business & Professions Code §10140.8
Applies To: SDMLS Participants, Subscribers, and Vendors receiving SDMLS listing data
Overview: Assembly Bill 723 (AB 723) is a California law that requires disclosure and availability of original images when digitally altered images are used in real estate advertising. The purpose of the law is to promote transparency and prevent consumer confusion when listing images do not accurately represent a property’s current condition.
Beginning January 1, 2026, SDMLS will enforce AB 723 requirements as part of its MLS rules and data distribution standards. These requirements apply to listings submitted to SDMLS and to downstream displays through IDX, VOW, APIs, and syndication feeds.
Important: This page addresses MLS-specific requirements only. Brokers and agents remain responsible for AB 723 compliance across all forms of advertising, including websites, social media, and marketing materials outside the MLS.
What Is a Digitally Altered Image:
A digitally altered image is a photograph that has been modified to add, remove, or materially change physical features of a listed property.
Examples include:
🔹 Virtual staging
🔹 Adding or removing furniture, fixtures, or appliances
🔹 Changing walls, flooring, cabinetry, or landscaping
🔹 Adding features that do not exist in the actual property
Not considered digitally altered: Basic photo enhancements that do not change the substance of the property, such as brightness or exposure adjustments, color correction, cropping, straightening, sharpening, or noise reduction. When in doubt, disclosure is strongly recommended.
Who Must Comply
AB 723 and SDMLS requirements apply to:
🔹 Brokers and agents submitting listings to SDMLS or advertising California real property
🔹 Vendors and technology providers receiving SDMLS listing data, including IDX, VOW, API, and syndication platforms
Participants remain responsible for compliance even when using third-party vendors, photographers, or service providers.
SDMLS Requirements (High Level)
When a digitally altered image is used in a listing:
🔹 The image must be clearly disclosed as digitally altered
🔹 The unaltered original image must be available and paired with the altered image
🔹 SDMLS-specific instructions for labeling and pairing images must be followed
🔹 These requirements apply to MLS displays and all downstream uses of SDMLS data
How to Comply (Step-by-Step Guidance)
Detailed instructions, screenshots, and tutorials are available in the SDMLS Knowledgebase:
🔹How to Upload and Label Digitally Altered Photos in Paragon (Step by Step)
🔹From Virtual Staging to Virtual Compliance: AB 723 (Knowledgebase)
These resources address MLS-specific workflows only.
IDX, VOW, and Vendor Displays
All IDX and VOW displays using SDMLS data must comply with altered-image requirements.
If a conflict exists between general display rules and altered-image requirements, altered-image requirements control.
Vendors may not remove, obscure, or modify altered-image indicators, pairings, or related metadata supplied by SDMLS.
Enforcement & Responsibility
🔹Participants and Subscribers are responsible for compliance with California law and SDMLS Rules
🔹Vendors are contractually required to comply with SDMLS altered-image standards
🔹Failure to comply may result in SDMLS compliance action or suspension of data access
Questions & Updates
SDMLS will continue to publish additional guidance, tutorials, and updates as workflows evolve.
🔹For MLS compliance questions: Contact SDMLS Support (support@sdmls.com) or Compliance (rules@sdmls.com)
🔹For legal interpretation: Consult your brokerage’s legal counsel
Last updated: (12/2025)