New area code is coming soon to Fresno, Merced counties. When will the switch happen?
Ready for a switch?
Residents and business owners in Central California will soon have access to a new area code, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.
The utilities commission said the new 357 area code will be added as an overlay to the 559 area code region — including parts of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties — starting in March.
That means area residents will have to change the way they dial phone numbers.
Here’s what to know:
When will new area code take effect in Central California?
Starting Wednesday, March 26, people living in the 559 area code region “new telephone lines or services in the 559 area may be assigned numbers from the new 357 area code.,” the utilities commission said.
“The addition of the 357 area code will require a new dialing procedure for anyone with a 559 or 357 area code,” the public utilities commission said in a Feb. 14 news release.
Customers will be required to dial “1” plus the area code and phone number for all local calls, the utilities commission said
According to the agency, customers with a 559 area code must use the new dialing procedure starting Wednesday, Feb. 26, “even for local calls within the same area code.”
Anyone who’s assigned a new phone number with a 357 area code must also use the new dialing procedure.
The area code overlay won’t affect the price of calls or coverage areas.
“What is a local call now will remain a local call,” the utilities commission said
Do I have to change my phone number?
The 357 area code will only be issued for new phone numbers in the region currently served by the 559 area code.
“Telephone numbers including the current area code will not change,” the utilities commission said.
Which areas does the 559 cover?
“The new 357 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 559 area code,” the California Public Utilities Commission said.
The 559 area code region includes all or parts of Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties.
The 559 area code also serves communities including Clovis, Coalinga, Fresno, Madera, Porterville, Reedley, Selma and Visalia, plus some unincorporated areas.
How do I prepare for the change?
Central California businesses and residents can prepare for the overlay by keeping friends, family and customers up-to-date on their current phone numbers, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.
You’ll want to ensure your websites, stationery, advertising materials and other contact information feature the new area code.
It’s also important to update any devices that store phone numbers in contact lists, such as cellphones, fax machines, medical alert devices and security systems, the agency said.
This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM.
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