AB 723 Compliance Guide | California Listing Photo Disclosure

Key Information

California Assembly Bill 723 (AB 723), effective January 1, 2024, requires real estate agents to disclose when listing photos have been materially altered — including virtual staging, object removal, sky replacement, and renovation previews. Disclosure must be accessible via a public-facing page or QR code on all marketing materials. Exempt alterations (brightness, contrast, white balance, lens correction, cropping) do not require disclosure. BuildMyListing automatically classifies every photo edit, generates the required public disclosure page, and embeds QR codes on print materials.

Pricing: Starting $99/month

Time Required: Automatic — zero manual steps

The Problem

Most California agents don't know which photo edits trigger AB 723 disclosure requirements — and the penalty for non-disclosure can include MLS suspension, DRE discipline, and civil liability to buyers.

The Solution

BuildMyListing automatically classifies every photo edit as 'Disclosure Required' or 'Exempt,' generates a public disclosure page with before/after photo pairs, and embeds the required QR code on all print marketing — with zero manual steps.

Key Features

Automatic Edit Classification

Every photo alteration is classified as AB 723 Exempt (brightness, contrast, white balance, cropping, lens correction) or Disclosure Required (staging, object removal, sky replacement, renovation preview) before you download.

Benefit: Know your compliance status for every photo instantly

Public Disclosure Page

A permanent, publicly accessible disclosure page is created for every listing with non-exempt alterations. The page shows original and altered photos side-by-side, listing the specific alterations made.

Benefit: Meets AB 723 disclosure requirement automatically

QR Code for Print Materials

A scannable QR code linking to the disclosure page is generated as an SVG for embedding in flyers, postcards, and yard sign riders — meeting the print marketing disclosure requirement.

Benefit: Compliant print marketing without manual work

CRMLS Rule 11.5.2 Photo Pairs

For CRMLS listings, BuildMyListing bundles altered photos with their originals as required photo pairs — the technical format CRMLS requires to document AI/digital alterations.

Benefit: Ready for CRMLS upload without extra documentation

How It Works

Upload and Process Photos

Upload listing photos and run them through BuildMyListing's AI pipeline. Every alteration — enhancement, staging, object removal — is logged with a classification as exempt or disclosure-required.

Disclosure Page Auto-Generated

For listings with non-exempt alterations, a public disclosure page is published at /originals/{listingId}. The page shows original and altered photos side-by-side with a description of each change.

Download QR Code and Compliance Package

Download the QR code SVG for print materials, CRMLS photo pairs for MLS upload, and a printable compliance summary for your broker file. All in one export package.

Compliance Reference

Photo Alteration	AB 723 Status	Disclosure Method	CRMLS Rule 11.5.2
Virtual staging (add furniture)	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Object removal (declutter)	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Sky replacement	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Renovation preview (simulated finishes)	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Furniture removal	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Pool or landscaping addition	Disclosure Required	Public page + QR code	Photo pair required
Brightness / contrast adjustment	Exempt	No disclosure required	No pair required
White balance correction	Exempt	No disclosure required	No pair required
Lens correction / straightening	Exempt	No disclosure required	No pair required
Cropping	Exempt	No disclosure required	No pair required
Sharpening / noise reduction	Exempt	No disclosure required	No pair required

Common Use Cases

Vacant Property with AI Staging

Scenario: Agent virtually stages 6 rooms of a vacant condo for sale. All 6 photos require AB 723 disclosure.

Process: Process listing → BuildMyListing classifies 6 photos as Disclosure Required → Auto-generates public disclosure page with 12 photo pairs → QR code embedded on Just Listed flyer → CRMLS photo pairs exported

Compliance: Fully compliant with AB 723 and CRMLS Rule 11.5.2 before any photo goes live

Enhanced Photos Only — No Staging

Scenario: Agent runs all 20 listing photos through BuildMyListing for brightness, white balance, and lens correction only. No staging or object removal.

Process: Process listing → BuildMyListing classifies all 20 photos as Exempt → No disclosure page generated → Agent downloads enhanced photos and uploads to MLS

Compliance: Zero disclosure requirements — all alterations are AB 723 exempt

Frequently Asked Questions

What is California AB 723?

California Assembly Bill 723, signed into law and effective January 1, 2024, amended the Business and Professions Code to require real estate agents to disclose material alterations made to listing photos. The bill was authored in response to growing use of AI and digital editing tools that can substantially change how a property appears. Agents who fail to disclose material alterations may face DRE discipline, MLS suspension, and civil liability.

What photo alterations trigger AB 723 disclosure?

AB 723 disclosure is required for 'material alterations' — changes that substantially affect how the property appears. This includes virtual staging (adding furniture), object removal (decluttering), sky replacement, renovation previews (simulated finishes or additions), pool or landscaping additions, and furniture or fixture removal. The key test is whether a reasonable buyer might form a different impression of the property based on the altered image.

What photo edits are exempt from AB 723 disclosure?

Standard image processing that doesn't change the property's apparent condition is exempt: brightness and contrast adjustment, white balance correction, lens straightening, cropping, sharpening, and noise reduction. These corrections are considered equivalent to professional photography post-processing and do not require disclosure under AB 723.

How must AB 723 disclosure be made?

AB 723 requires that material alterations be disclosed in a manner accessible to potential buyers. In practice, CRMLS and other Southern California MLSs implement this via: (1) a public-facing disclosure page showing original and altered photos, (2) photo pairs submitted alongside the altered photos in MLS, and (3) a QR code on print marketing materials linking to the disclosure page. BuildMyListing generates all three automatically.

Does AB 723 apply to rental listings?

AB 723 as codified in Business and Professions Code § 10087 applies to licensed real estate agents and brokers in California. Rental listings marketed by licensed agents are covered. Property managers who are not licensed under the DRE may not be directly covered by the statute, but best practice is to apply the same disclosure standards to avoid misrepresentation claims under other California consumer protection statutes.

What is CRMLS Rule 11.5.2 and how does it relate to AB 723?

CRMLS Rule 11.5.2 is a California Regional MLS rule requiring that for every AI-altered or digitally modified listing photo, a corresponding original (unaltered) photo must be submitted as a photo pair. This implements AB 723's disclosure requirement at the MLS technical level. BuildMyListing exports CRMLS-compliant photo pairs automatically for all disclosure-required alterations.

Does AB 723 apply to other states?

AB 723 is a California-specific law. As of early 2026, no other state has enacted an identical statute. However, several states are considering similar legislation, and national MLS organizations like NAR have issued guidance recommending disclosure of material AI alterations regardless of state law. BuildMyListing's compliance documentation is designed to meet California requirements and can be adapted for other markets.

How does BuildMyListing handle the public disclosure page requirement?

For every listing with disclosure-required alterations, BuildMyListing publishes a permanent public page at /originals/{listingId} — accessible to anyone without a login. The page displays the property address, each altered photo paired with its original, and a description of the alteration made. This page remains accessible throughout the listing period and can be archived after closing.

Ready to Get Started?

Transform your listing photos with AI-powered enhancement and automatic AB 723 compliance tracking.

Join the Waitlist

AB 723 Compliance Guide for California Listings