Can I use my own “Virtually Staged” watermark on ARMLS?

No. Section 8.23(e) allows only text and watermarks provided by ARMLS, and ARMLS says its older “Virtually Staged” watermark is no longer approved. Upload the staged image without your own label and use the MLS-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark.

When do ARMLS fines start?

ARMLS ran an education period from June to November 2026 with no fines. From December 2026, digitally altered media without the required watermark can be fined $200 per violation.

MLS staging rules · Last verified October 22, 2026

Arizona Virtual Staging Rules: ARMLS Section 8.23(n)

In Arizona, ARMLS Section 8.23(n), adopted May 28, 2026, requires an MLS-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark on any altered media, including virtual staging and decluttering, and the unaltered original directly before or after it. Fines of $200 per violation apply from December 2026.

Confirm with your MLS before publishing. This is not legal advice.

MLS or law	Where to disclose	Original photo	Effective
ARMLS (Arizona Regional MLS) Section 8.23(n), with 8.23(e), 8.23(f) and definition 1.29(b)	The MLS system-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark, applied directly to the image.	Required, directly before or after the altered image	May 28, 2026

ARMLS (Arizona Regional MLS)

MLS rule · In force

Arizona · Section 8.23(n), with 8.23(e), 8.23(f) and definition 1.29(b)

Any digitally altered media, including virtual staging, decluttering and object removal, must carry an MLS-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark and be paired with its unaltered original. Only ARMLS-provided text or watermarks may appear on media.

Where to disclose: The MLS system-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark, applied directly to the image.
Required wording: Digitally Altered
Original photo: Required, directly before or after the altered image
Penalty: $200 per violation, enforced from December 2026 after a June–November 2026 education period
Effective: May 28, 2026
Last verified: October 22, 2026

“The disclosure must, at a minimum, include an MLS system-provided watermark applied directly to the Media. Each Media item that is Digitally Altered must be paired directly before or after with the corresponding unaltered original Media item.”

Source: ARMLS Rules & Regulations (last updated May 28, 2026)

ARMLS’s older “Virtually Staged” watermark is no longer approved. Enforcement timeline from armls.com/digitally-altered-media.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my own “Virtually Staged” watermark on ARMLS?: No. Section 8.23(e) allows only text and watermarks provided by ARMLS, and ARMLS says its older “Virtually Staged” watermark is no longer approved. Upload the staged image without your own label and use the MLS-provided “Digitally Altered” watermark.
When do ARMLS fines start?: ARMLS ran an education period from June to November 2026 with no fines. From December 2026, digitally altered media without the required watermark can be fined $200 per violation.

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