Virginia
CVR MLS: virtual staging rules
What CVR MLS (Central Virginia) requires before a virtually staged photo goes into a listing — the disclosure rule, the edits it permits, the edits it prohibits, and what happens when a listing gets it wrong.
Disclosure rule
CVR MLS Rule 5.8.2 (October 2026 Rules and Regulations): any virtually staged photograph must be clearly and conspicuously labeled "VIRTUALLY STAGED" (or similar language) on the photograph, disclosed in the REMARKS field, and accompanied by an unaltered photograph of substantially the same view. The effective date of this wording is unconfirmed; check CVR's rules page.
Permitted
Virtual staging that adds, removes or replaces furniture, furnishings, décor or other non-permanent personal property, and physically possible changes to landscaping, finishes or fixtures within the owner's control, each labeled and paired with an unaltered photo (Rule 5.8.2).
Prohibited
Altered photos that conceal a material defect, misrepresent dimensions, depict a physically impossible condition, or add, remove or change elements outside the owner's control, including off-site structures or actual views (Rule 5.8.2).
Penalty
CVR MLS Fine Chart (Appendix B, Rule 5.8): $150 for failure to properly disclose virtual staging, photo enhancement or other photo manipulation.
Provenance: these board rules were documented as part of RELTO's Virginia research, whose state entry is verified against the board or statute’s own public rulebook. No separate board-rulebook citation is indexed for this rule — confirm the current wording with the board directly. Full legal context, penalties, and sources for Virginia: Virginia virtual staging rules.
Disclosure language you can copy
RELTO's recommended wording — always confirm the exact format CVR MLS requires (photo label, caption, or public remarks) before publishing.
- On the photo
- Virtually Staged
- In public remarks
- One or more photo(s) was virtually staged.
- Extended disclaimer
- Images have been virtually staged to illustrate the property's potential. Furniture and decor shown are digitally rendered and are not included with the property. Please refer to the original photographs for an accurate representation of the property's current condition.
Sources
- 18VAC135-20-190 — Advertising by licensees (Virginia Law) — Virginia
- Virginia Real Estate Board — Licensing Regulations (chapter index) — Virginia
- Virginia REALTORS — New Real Estate Board Regulations Effective April 1, 2026 — Virginia
- CVR MLS — Rules and Regulations (October 2026), Rule 5.8.2 and Fine Chart — Virginia
- Bright MLS — Rules Governing Use of Bright’s Services (effective July 22, 2026) — Virginia
Stage compliantly on CVR MLS
RELTO's free tier watermarks every image automatically, and MLS-ready downloads on paid plans add the disclosure label. Free to start, no credit card.
Stage a photo freeInformational only — not legal advice. RELTO is a virtual-staging technology provider, not a law firm, and nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. Board rules and enforcement practices change; confirm each rule with the board's current rulebook, your broker, and a licensed real-estate attorney before relying on it. Every rule above was documented as part of the state research that covers this board; verification dates and confidence tiers describe those state entries, not board-specific rulebook citations.