Santa Clara County's Legal Department has provided additional clarity on the county's Shelter-in-Place Ordinance surrounding the staging of homes for sale. The County has clarified that the May 4 County Shelter-in-Place order "allows residential and commercial transactions to proceed, and allows service professional like inspectors, photographers, and videographers to visit a residence one time, alone, at a time when the resident is not present in the home. Staging services can be allowed under the same parameters."

San Mateo County allows staging "as long as it can be considered necessary."

Staging, like private showings and walk-throughs, can occur on properties when the occupant has left the residence. The same protocol applies for photographers, appraisers and inspectors entering the property.

Of course, all involved should remain vigilant about complying with social distancing requirements and