New 350 Area Code is Coming to the California 209 Area Code Region

The New 350 Area Code is Coming to the California 209 Area Code Region

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the California Public Utilities Commission has approved an all-services overlay for the 209 area code region. The 209 area code serves all or portions of Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Eldorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne counties, and encompasses cities such as Angels Camp, Atwater, Ceres, Dos Palos, Escalon, Galt, Gustine, Hughson, Ione, Lathrop, Livingston, Lodi, Los Banos, Manteca, Merced, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Plymouth, Ripon, Riverbank, Sonora, Stockton, Tracy, Turlock, and Waterford. The 209 area code also covers Yosemite National Park and Kirkwood Mountain Resort. The new 350 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the 209 area code.


What is an Area Code Overlay?

An overlay is the addition of another area code (350) to the same geographic region as an existing area code (209). The overlay does not require you to change your existing area code or phone number, or how you dial your calls. You will continue to dial 1+10 digits (area code + phone number) for all local calls, as you do today, within and between the 209 and 350 area codes. Mobile phone customers will continue to dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.


Who is affected and when does the new 350 area code become effective?

Beginning November 28, 2022, customers in the 209 area code region may be assigned a number in the new 350 area code when they request new service or an additional line. Customers receiving the 350 area code will be required to dial the 1+10 digits for all local calls, just as customers with telephone numbers from the 209 area code do today. Mobile phone customers receiving 350 numbers may dial either 10 digits or 1+10 digits.


What will you need to do?

Customers in the overlay region should:

  • Continue to dial 1+10 digits for all local calls, including calls within the same area code.
  • Continue to identify your telephone number as a 10-digit number, and include the area code when giving the number to friends, family, business associates, customers, etc.
  • Ensure that all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment recognize the new 350 area code as a valid area code and continue to store or program telephone numbers as 10-digit numbers. Some examples are: stored telephone numbers in contact lists in wireless phones, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, medical alert devices, safety alarm security systems and gates, ankle monitors and/or other similar equipment.
  • Check items such as your website, personal and business stationery, printed checks, advertising materials, contact information, and your personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included.

What will remain the same?
  • Your telephone number, including the current area code, will not change.
  • The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
  • What is a local call now will remain a local call.
  • You will continue to dial 1+10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long distance calls.
  • You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in your community.

Who may you contact with questions?

You can also visit the California Public Utilities Commission website at https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/209areacode.