Austin Unlock MLS Rule 2.15 requires a non-virtually-staged image of the same view and bans overlaid text — a burned-in watermark is itself a violation.
Austin's Unlock MLS (ACTRIS) requires one thing for virtual staging and it is not a watermark: Rule 2.15 says images with virtual staging "must include a non-virtually staged image of the same view." There is no watermark requirement, no required wording, and no remarks-disclosure duty. In fact the same rule bans "embedded, overlaid, or digitally stamped" text on listing images, so burning a disclosure label onto the photo is itself a rule problem in Austin. A first violation carries no fine — it is a Category 1 courtesy notice with one business day to correct.
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| Disclosure required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Required label wording | NO watermark is required. Rule 2.15 contains no watermark or label mandate and no required wording. The only watermark reference in the rulebook is Unlock MLS reserving its OWN right to add an Unlock MLS watermark. |
| Label placement | NOT on the image. Rule 2.15 prohibits "embedded, overlaid, or digitally stamped" text and reserves the right to reject or remove any image containing it (the listing Participant's yard sign, incidental and small, is the only carve-out). FLAG: a HAR-style burned-in disclaimer would arguably VIOLATE ACTRIS 2.15 — the same Texas asset cannot be shipped to both Houston and Austin. |
| Listing description must disclose | No |
| Original photo required | Yes |
Alterations this rule covers:
Supported — you finish the MLS steps
That’s the ACTRIS / Unlock MLS (Austin Board of REALTORS®) rule. We add nothing to the photo, which is what this board requires; you still complete the MLS-side step this board lists.
See the full Terms of Service.
To meet the ACTRIS / Unlock MLS (Austin Board of REALTORS®) rule, an agent completes these MLS-side steps (from the cited source):
Effective 2024-08-01.
Published by Austin/Central Texas Realty Information Service dba Unlock MLS — serving 18-county Central Texas / Austin region.
Rule 2.15 is a Category 1 violation (Appendix C — Compliance Procedures, last update 07/28/25). Escalation per subscriber per calendar year: 1st–3rd = Courtesy Notice, 1 business day to correct; 4th = Written Warning, 2 business days; 5th = required workshop ($100 if not completed in 45 days); 6th = $200–$250 fine plus mandatory hearing with broker present; 3+ monetary penalties = $500. No first-offense fine — it is correctable. The Category-1 ceiling for Rule 2.15 is $500; the $15,000 figure in Appendix C applies to Category 4, not this rule.
No. Rule 2.15 has no watermark requirement. It requires a non-virtually-staged image of the same view, and it separately prohibits embedded, overlaid or digitally stamped text on images — so an added watermark can itself be grounds for removal.
Rule 2.15 is a Category 1 violation. The first three in a calendar year are courtesy notices with one business day to correct — no fine. Fines ($200–$250) begin at the sixth violation, alongside a mandatory hearing.
The rule does not say so. Unlike Houston's HAR (adjacent image required) and Canopy MLS (immediately before or after), ACTRIS Rule 2.15 requires only that a non-virtually-staged image of the same view be included.
Last verified 2026-08-25.
The rule differs board by board. A few related markets to compare — the full list is on the compliance overview:
This page summarizes publicly available rules for general information and is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the cited source or your broker or legal counsel before relying on it.