Residents of 714 area code will dial differently Aug. 23

The California Public Utilities Commission has asked residents covered by the 714 area code to use a new dialing procedure starting today as the commission prepares to add a second area code to the region.

The commission has approved an “overlay zone” in which 714 will be joined by the new 657 area code to ensure a continuing supply of telephone numbers.

Today through Aug. 22, residents who live in the 714 area can either dial the regular seven-digit number to make a local call or preface the call by dialing 1-714.

Starting Aug. 23, residents must dial the area code at all times.

“It’s what we call the permissive period,” said Maureen Matthews, co-chairwoman of the 714 Public Education Committee.

“We ask people to start dialing the way they’re going to have to complete their calls.”

For more information, call the education committee at (626) 415-1050.

— Michael Miller