The familiar 805 area code that serves Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and parts of Monterey and Kern counties is no longer alone. To keep pace with the region’s growing demand for phone numbers, regulators introduced the 820 overlay and with it, ten digit dialing for everyone in the 805. Below you’ll find everything you need to know, from key rollout dates to simple steps your business can take to stay connected.
New 820 Area Code Overlay
An overlay simply adds another area code in this case 820 to the same geographic region as the existing 805. Current numbers do not change, but any new line could be assigned 820. Because two area codes now serve the same cities, callers must dial the area code plus the seven digit number for all local calls.
805 Area Code Regions Affected
Anyone with an 805 phone number or who calls the following counties is affected:
- Ventura
- Santa Barbara
- San Luis Obispo
- Southern Monterey (e.g., Bradley, San Ardo)
- Western Kern (e.g., Taft, Maricopa)
Military installations such as Vandenberg SFB and the Paso Robles satellite site also fall under the 805/820 overlay.
How 805 Area Codes Are Affected by 820
Landlines: Dial 1 + area code + phone number (11 digits total).
Mobile phones: Dial area code + phone number (10 digits) or 1 + area code + number either works.
Seven digit dialing no longer completes a call.
Key Dates for the 820 Rollout
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| December 1 2017 | Optional 10 or 11 digit dialing begins; seven digit calls still connect. |
| June 2 2018 | Mandatory 10 or 11 digit dialing for all local calls. Calls dialed with seven digits are intercepted and must be redialed. |
| June 30 2018 | New phone lines and services may receive numbers in the 820 area code. |
What Stays the Same
- Your existing phone number including 805 remains unchanged.
- Call pricing and coverage areas stay identical. Local calls are still local.
- Emergency numbers (911) and other three digit services (211, 311, 511, 611, 811) still dial with three digits.
- Long distance dialing rules and toll rates do not change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not split the region instead of adding 820?
The California Public Utilities Commission chose an overlay to avoid forcing businesses and residents to change existing numbers, which proved less disruptive and more cost effective.
Will my caller ID show a different location?
No. Your 805 number keeps its original geographic identity. New 820 numbers simply indicate a more recent assignment within the same region.
Do I need to dial “1” from my mobile phone?
Most wireless carriers complete calls with either 10 or 11 digits. Landlines generally require the leading “1.”
Is the overlay linked to higher call charges?
No. The overlay does not affect tariff zones, LATA boundaries, or intrastate toll rates. Your plan and pricing stay exactly the same.
Need Help or Have Questions?
For regulatory details, visit the California Public Utilities Commission website or contact your carrier’s customer service team. Businesses running high volume telephony can reach out to our support engineers 24/7 for guidance on updating SIP trunks and E 911 records.
