Western Washington gets new 564 area code
The 253 and 360 will soon have company.
Western Washington will also have the 564 area code by fall 2017, according to a plan approved by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission on Thursday.
The 564 area code will be concurrent with all four Western Washington area codes — 206, 253, 360 and 425 — meaning that 10-digit dialing will be required for all local calls.
Why now? The North American Numbering Plan Administrator projects the 360 area code will be out of phone numbers by early 2018.
The plan had originally been approved in 2000, but after state and national conservation efforts, it was postponed, according to a Utilities and Transportation Commission news release.
The 253 and 425 area codes were added in November 1997; the 360 area code was phased in during spring 1995.
Kenny Ocker: 253-597-8627, @KennyOcker
This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Western Washington gets new 564 area code."