Effective January 1, 2026, California Assembly Bill 723 requires real estate professionals to clearly disclose when images used in advertising or listings have been digitally altered and to provide access to the original, unaltered images when those altered images are made public.

Two new sections will be added to the CCAR MLS Rules and Regulations Effective Jan. 1. 2026

• 11.5.1 Definition of Digitally Altered Images – Defines digitally altered images as provided under California law.
• 11.5.2 Digitally Altered Images – Explains how digitally altered images must be treated when inputted in the MLS.

How Does this Affect Photograph Requirements in the MLS?
To support compliance with California’s new law regarding digitally altered property images (AB 723), CCAR will be implementing a standardized approach within the MLS.

Going forward, when a digitally altered image is used in a listing:

• The digitally altered image must be displayed first,
• The original, unaltered image must immediately follow, and
• The altered image must include a photo label clearly disclosing that the image has been digitally altered.

To add a photo label within the MLS, please follow the instructions below:

• Go to ‘Maintain Listing’;
• Go to the ‘Add/Edit Pictures’ module;
• Add listing photos and select ‘Add Label’ for the digitally altered images;
• Type into the ‘Label’ field that the photo is digitally altered (i.e. “altered,” “digitally altered,” “AI altered,” or some accurate substantially similar term).

This approach allows the MLS to clearly present both versions of the image while maintaining transparency for consumers and consistency for Participants and Subscribers.

CCAR MLS Rules & Regulations >>