GuideUpdated
What are the CRMLS photo rules?
Every CRMLS listing needs at least one photo showing a good part of the exterior, and it doesn’t have to be the first photo. Photos can carry no branding at all: no signs, contact info, people you can recognize, logos, slogans, links or team names. Staged or altered photos need a label and the original right next to them.
We make PropWalk, so read this as a summary from a tool maker, not CRMLS. We read CRMLS’s 2026 photo and media FAQs and its digitally altered images FAQs on Nov 8, 2026.
What does CRMLS ban on photos?
Anything that brands the photo, under Rule 11.5(e). A branded photo is removed and a citation with a fine is issued right away, with no warning first.
- Signs, a “For Sale” sign included.
- Contact info, logos, slogans, catchphrases, links and team names.
- People you can recognize.
What about staged or edited photos?
Adding, removing or changing things like furniture counts as altering a photo and has to be disclosed. You can’t change real features such as walls, floors, cabinets or landscaping, add AI landscaping, or remove power lines.
- Say “digitally enhanced,” “digitally altered,” “virtually staged” or similar in the photo’s description.
- Put the unaltered original right before or after the altered photo.
How many photos do I need?
At least one showing a good part of the exterior, from any view. Coming soon listings need it within 2 calendar days. Registered listings can carry up to 75 photos.
Can I upload photos I took from the MLS?
No. CRMLS adds its own watermark to listing photos, and uploading them again makes a double watermark, which breaks Rule 11.5(d).
Can I add a video?
Yes, in the unbranded virtual tour field. A YouTube link is fine only if the channel shows no agent or brokerage details, logos or photos.
Read on CRMLS’s own pages on Nov 8, 2026: CRMLS 2026 photographs and media FAQs · CRMLS digitally altered images FAQs
Quick answers
What are the CRMLS photo rules?+
At least one exterior photo, no branding of any kind on photos, and staged or altered photos labeled with the original next to them. From CRMLS’s FAQs, read Nov 8, 2026.
Does the first CRMLS photo have to be the exterior?+
No. The exterior photo can be any photo in the set, from any view.
Can a “For Sale” sign show in a CRMLS photo?+
No. CRMLS counts it as branding under Rule 11.5(e).
What happens if a CRMLS photo is branded?+
It is removed and a citation with a fine is issued right away, with no warning first.
Related questions
Start with the listing you have right now.
Upload the empty rooms. Under a minute later each one is furnished, with the disclosure line and the original beside it.
How the virtual staging works