diff --git a/.chloggen/2211.yaml b/.chloggen/2211.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..40f1b08f42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.chloggen/2211.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+# Use this changelog template to create an entry for release notes.
+#
+# If your change doesn't affect end users you should instead start
+# your pull request title with [chore] or use the "Skip Changelog" label.
+
+# One of 'breaking', 'deprecation', 'new_component', 'enhancement', 'bug_fix'
+change_type: breaking
+
+# The name of the area of concern in the attributes-registry, (e.g. http, cloud, db)
+component: db
+
+# A brief description of the change. Surround your text with quotes ("") if it needs to start with a backtick (`).
+note: Make `db.response.returned_rows` opt-in on `release_candidate` spans
+
+# Mandatory: One or more tracking issues related to the change. You can use the PR number here if no issue exists.
+# The values here must be integers.
+issues: [ 2211 ]
+
+# (Optional) One or more lines of additional information to render under the primary note.
+# These lines will be padded with 2 spaces and then inserted directly into the document.
+# Use pipe (|) for multiline entries.
+subtext:
diff --git a/docs/database/database-spans.md b/docs/database/database-spans.md
index af40f7a9a2..3f91e6f2e6 100644
--- a/docs/database/database-spans.md
+++ b/docs/database/database-spans.md
@@ -121,12 +121,12 @@ classify as errors.
 | [`db.operation.batch.size`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | The number of queries included in a batch operation. [12] | `2`; `3`; `4` | `Recommended` | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [13] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [15] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [17] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [18] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`network.peer.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/network.md) | string | Peer address of the database node where the operation was performed. [19] | `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` If applicable for this database system. | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`network.peer.port`](/docs/attributes-registry/network.md) | int | Peer port number of the network connection. | `65123` | `Recommended` if and only if `network.peer.address` is set. | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [20] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [21] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.system.name`:** The actual DBMS may differ from the one identified by the client. For example, when using PostgreSQL client libraries to connect to a CockroachDB, the `db.system.name` is set to `postgresql` based on the instrumentation's best knowledge.
 
diff --git a/docs/database/mariadb.md b/docs/database/mariadb.md
index 8c9f0ca090..0b51dac973 100644
--- a/docs/database/mariadb.md
+++ b/docs/database/mariadb.md
@@ -43,10 +43,10 @@ Spans representing calls to MariaDB adhere to the general [Semantic Conventions
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** A connection's currently associated database may change during its lifetime, e.g. from executing `USE <database>`.
 
diff --git a/docs/database/mysql.md b/docs/database/mysql.md
index 17006afc43..8531f93bb8 100644
--- a/docs/database/mysql.md
+++ b/docs/database/mysql.md
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Spans representing calls to a MySQL Server adhere to the general [Semantic Conve
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** A connection's currently associated database may change during its lifetime, e.g. from executing `USE <database>`.
 
diff --git a/docs/database/oracledb.md b/docs/database/oracledb.md
index e856fcde18..2d30e143a3 100644
--- a/docs/database/oracledb.md
+++ b/docs/database/oracledb.md
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Spans representing calls to a Oracle SQL Database adhere to the general [Semanti
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = :mykey` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** `db.namespace` SHOULD be set to the combination of instance name, database name and
 service name following the `{service_name}|{database_name}|{instance_name}` pattern.
diff --git a/docs/database/postgresql.md b/docs/database/postgresql.md
index 57d0300378..39aebc2888 100644
--- a/docs/database/postgresql.md
+++ b/docs/database/postgresql.md
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Spans representing calls to a PostgreSQL database adhere to the general [Semanti
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** `db.namespace` SHOULD be set to the combination of database and schema name following the `{database}|{schema}` pattern.
 If either `{database}` or `{schema}` is unavailable, `db.namespace` SHOULD be set to the other (without any `|` separator).
diff --git a/docs/database/sql-server.md b/docs/database/sql-server.md
index c7b92bf287..e240632c96 100644
--- a/docs/database/sql-server.md
+++ b/docs/database/sql-server.md
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Spans representing calls to Microsoft SQL Server adhere to the general [Semantic
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** When connected to a default instance, `db.namespace` SHOULD be set to the name of
 the database. When connected to a [named instance](https://learn.microsoft.com/sql/connect/jdbc/building-the-connection-url#named-and-multiple-sql-server-instances),
diff --git a/docs/database/sql.md b/docs/database/sql.md
index 026e773ddb..a99ef184ce 100644
--- a/docs/database/sql.md
+++ b/docs/database/sql.md
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@ Instrumentations applied to generic SQL drivers SHOULD adhere to SQL semantic co
 | [`db.operation.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of the operation or command being executed. [9] | `EXECUTE`; `INSERT` | `Recommended` [10] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.summary`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | Low cardinality representation of a database query text. [11] | `SELECT wuser_table`; `INSERT shipping_details SELECT orders`; `get user by id` | `Recommended` [12] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`db.query.text`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The database query being executed. [13] | `SELECT * FROM wuser_table where username = ?`; `SET mykey ?` | `Recommended` [14] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
-| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Recommended` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 | [`db.stored_procedure.name`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | The name of a stored procedure within the database. [15] | `GetCustomer` | `Recommended` [16] | ![Release Candidate](https://img.shields.io/badge/-rc-mediumorchid) |
 | [`server.address`](/docs/attributes-registry/server.md) | string | Name of the database host. [17] | `example.com`; `10.1.2.80`; `/tmp/my.sock` | `Recommended` | ![Stable](https://img.shields.io/badge/-stable-lightgreen) |
 | [`db.query.parameter.<key>`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | string | A database query parameter, with `<key>` being the parameter name, and the attribute value being a string representation of the parameter value. [18] | `someval`; `55` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
+| [`db.response.returned_rows`](/docs/attributes-registry/db.md) | int | Number of rows returned by the operation. | `10`; `30`; `1000` | `Opt-In` | ![Development](https://img.shields.io/badge/-development-blue) |
 
 **[1] `db.namespace`:** If a database system has multiple namespace components (e.g. schema name and database name), they SHOULD be concatenated
 from the most general to the most specific namespace component,
diff --git a/model/database/spans.yaml b/model/database/spans.yaml
index 1f6ea8cd08..52f5e4f5cf 100644
--- a/model/database/spans.yaml
+++ b/model/database/spans.yaml
@@ -136,6 +136,10 @@ groups:
       classify as errors.
     span_kind: client
     extends: trace.db.common.full
+    attributes:
+      - ref: db.response.returned_rows
+        requirement_level: opt_in  # experimental attributes must be opt-in stable spans
+                                   # TODO (trask) make this recommended once it is stable
 
   - id: span.db.sql_server.client
     type: span
@@ -745,6 +749,10 @@ groups:
             that does not support multiple collection names.
         note: |
           The collection name SHOULD NOT be extracted from `db.query.text`.
+      - ref: db.response.returned_rows
+        requirement_level: opt_in  # experimental attributes must be opt-in stable spans
+                                   # TODO (trask) make this recommended once it is stable
+
   - id: span.azure.cosmosdb.client
     type: span
     stability: development