# Metro MLS: virtual staging rules

- Board: Metro MLS (Greater Milwaukee)
- States: Wisconsin
- Canonical page: https://relto.app/mls-compliance/boards/metro-mls

## As documented in RELTO's Wisconsin research

- Disclosure rule: Metro MLS requires an original, unaltered main photo first, then each digitally altered photo (including virtual staging) placed immediately after its original and carrying the Flexmls watermark, with the phrase "Photos are Digitally Altered" in Public Remarks (Metro MLS, post dated April 21, 2026; sanctions apply from September 1, 2026). Separately, Metro MLS guidance dated February 10, 2026 says virtual staging must be clearly disclosed. This rests on Metro MLS blog posts, not its rulebook. Act 69 adds a statutory advertising disclosure rule starting January 1, 2027.
- Permitted: Virtual staging with furniture, décor, rugs, and artwork, with disclosure, per the Metro MLS article.
- Prohibited: Adding people or pets, lifestyle scenes, or signage, per the Metro MLS article.
- Penalty: Metro MLS states a $10 sanction for digitally altered photos lacking the required watermark and $10 per day for a digitally altered primary photo until replaced. Metro MLS's full rulebook schedule was not read. Act 69 adds no penalty of its own; see Penalties.

Provenance: these board rules were documented as part of RELTO's Wisconsin research, whose state entry is verified against the board or statute’s own public rulebook (last verified 2026-10-11). 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 Wisconsin: https://relto.app/mls-compliance/wisconsin

## Not legal advice

Informational only. RELTO is a virtual-staging technology provider, not a law firm. 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. Verification dates and confidence tiers describe the state entries, not board-specific rulebook citations.