diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 8b9e62a3d74..a769c7eb422 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ Welcome to the lobster tank! 🦞
 - Reply to or resolve bot review conversations you addressed before asking for review again
 - **Include screenshots** — one showing the problem/before, one showing the fix/after (for UI or visual changes)
 - Use American English spelling and grammar in code, comments, docs, and UI strings
+- Do not edit files covered by `CODEOWNERS` security ownership unless a listed owner explicitly asked for the change or is already reviewing it with you. Treat those paths as restricted review surfaces, not opportunistic cleanup targets.
 
 ## Review Conversations Are Author-Owned