Welcome

To ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers, the California Public Utilities Commission has approved the addition of the new 357 area code to the geographic area served by the 559 area code. This process is known as an area code overlay.

What is an area code overlay?
An area code overlay is the addition of another area code (357) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (559). An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code but does require customers to use a new dialing procedure to complete local telephone calls. When an overlay is implemented, customers must dial “1” followed by the area code and the seven-digit telephone number (1+10-digit dialing) to complete every call, including calls within the same area code.

Who will be affected?
The 559 area code serves central California in the San Joaquin Valley, including all or portions of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Kings Counties, encompassing cities and communities such as Clovis, Coalinga, Fresno, Madera, Porterville, Reedley, Selma, and Visalia, as well as unincorporated areas. Anyone with a 559 or 357 area code will need to use a new dialing procedure.

What is the new 1+10-digit dialing procedure?
To complete local calls from a landline phone, anyone with a 559 or 357 area code must dial 1 + area code + telephone number (1 + 10 digits). This means that all calls in the 559 area code that are currently dialed with 7 digits will need to be dialed using the new 1 + area code + telephone number dialing procedure. To complete calls from a cellular or mobile phone, callers may dial area code + telephone number or 1 + area code + telephone number whenever placing a call from a phone number with the 559 or 357 area code.

When will the dialing change begin?
Beginning February 26, 2025, you must use the new dialing procedure, as described above for all calls, even for local calls. On and after this date, if you do not dial 1 + area code + telephone number, your calls will not be completed, and a recording will instruct you to hang up and dial again.

Beginning March 26, 2025, new telephone lines or services in the 559 area may be assigned numbers from the new 357 area code, once all remaining 559 resources have been assigned. Anyone assigned the 357 area code telephone number must use the new dialing procedure described above.

What will you need to do?
In addition to changing the way you make local calls, all services, automatic dialing equipment, or other types of equipment that are programmed to dial 7 digits will need to be reprogrammed to dial 1 + area code + telephone number no later than February 26, 2025. Some examples are life safety systems and medical monitoring devices, PBXs, fax machines, Internet dial-up numbers, fire or burglar alarm and security systems or gates, cordless and mobile phone contact lists, speed dialers, call forwarding settings, voicemail services, and other similar services or equipment. You may also want to check your personal and business stationery, checks, advertising materials, websites, contact information, and personal or pet ID tags to ensure the area code is included in the telephone number.

What will remain the same?
Your telephone number, including your current area code.

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 regardless of the number of digits dialed.

You can still dial just three digits to reach 911 and 988, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if available in your area.

Who can you contact with questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information provided in this notice, please call AT&T at 800.288.2020 or access att.com for more information. You can also visit the California Public Utilities Commission website at www.cpuc.ca.gov/559areacode.

Content courtesy of Tulare County Information & Communications Technology