What Stellar MLS Article 04.04 requires for virtually staged photos in Florida: the public-remarks sentence, the photo-description wording, and what's prohibited.
Yes. Stellar MLS requires virtually staged photos to be disclosed three ways at once: the words “Virtually staged” in the photo description field, the virtually-staged field checked, and the public remarks must open with the exact sentence “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” Only non-permanent personal property may be staged — permanent fixtures, exterior scenes, views, and defects may not be altered — and violations mean the photos are pulled plus a Level I automatic fine.
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| Disclosure required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Required label wording | NO watermark is mandated by Article 04.04. Required text is the words “Virtually staged” entered in the photo description field, the virtually-staged checkbox ticked, and the public remarks beginning with the exact sentence “One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.” |
| Label placement | NOT on the image. Article 04.04 prohibited use (E) states: “No branding is permitted. The use of people or persons and/or words on any property photograph submitted to the Service is strictly prohibited.” Article 04.05(D) (re-verified 2026-08-25) is broader: listing images “may not contain company or agent logos, agent photos, commissions, bonuses, contact information for the agent or office, direct or indirect branding for an agent, brokerage or team, text, or graphics of any kind (with the exception of the Stellar MLS® watermark).” So the ONLY permitted on-image mark is Stellar’s own watermark — a SEAREI-branded disclosure/verification overlay is doubly barred (04.04(E) words + 04.05(D) text/graphics/branding). Disclosure goes in the photo description field + public remarks. FLAG: this conflicts with the burned-in-badge pattern SEAREI uses for CA/AB 723; needs a Stellar-specific delivery mode. |
| Listing description must disclose | Yes |
| Original photo required | No |
Alterations this rule covers:
Supported — you finish the MLS steps
That’s the Stellar MLS (Florida) rule. We add nothing to the photo, which is what this board requires; you still complete the MLS-side step this board lists.
See the full Terms of Service.
To meet the Stellar MLS (Florida) rule, an agent completes these MLS-side steps (from the cited source):
Effective 2021-01-01.
Published by My Florida Regional MLS, Inc. dba Stellar MLS — serving Florida + Puerto Rico (regional operator: My Florida Regional MLS).
Virtually staged photos removed from the service, plus an automatic fine under the Automatic Fine Schedule, Level I (Article 11 / Section 4.3). Verified 2026-08-25 from the current rulebook: Level I is 1st offense $100, 2nd $250, 3rd $500, 4th $1,000 + disciplinary hearing; further offenses escalate up to $15,000.
The rule text does not require one. Article 04.04 puts the disclosure in the photo description field and public remarks. Prohibited use (E) bars words on property photographs, so a burned-in text overlay may itself be a violation — confirm with Stellar MLS compliance before overlaying text.
Only unattached furniture or décor. Article 04.04 prohibited use (A) bars virtually staging exteriors otherwise, and Stellar’s photo-rules page adds that you cannot remove utility lines, add landscape plantings, or cover material flaws.
No. Article 04.04 states virtual staging shall not be used for pre-construction and under-construction properties.
The rule differs board by board. A few related markets to compare — the full list is on the compliance overview:
This page summarizes publicly available rules for general information and is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the cited source or your broker or legal counsel before relying on it.