Where is Area Code 323?
Area Code 323 principally serves a significant portion of central Los Angeles and its immediate surrounding communities. A large number of neighborhoods and municipalities fall within this area code, reflecting the region’s density and diverse population. Furthermore, 323 extends into certain unincorporated sections of Los Angeles County.
Major cities and areas included within the 323 area code encompass:
- Los Angeles (central and eastern portions)
- Huntington Park
- Monterey Park
- West Hollywood (parts)
- East Los Angeles
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), located at 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, regulates all telephone numbering in the state. For more information on California area code regulations, refer to the California area code regulations page on the CPUC website.
What Time Zone Is 323 Area Code in the USA?
The entire 323 area code resides in the Pacific Time Zone (PT). This time zone is observed across the West Coast of the United States and does not change among cities covered by this particular area code.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) applies to all communities within the 323 region, typically beginning in March and ending in November, in line with both statewide and nationwide guidelines. Official policies regarding time zone changes are established by the United States Department of Transportation, whose administrative address is 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Additional information can be found on the Federal government’s time zone resources page.
History of the 323 Area Code
Area Code 323 was introduced in June 1998 as a geographic split from the existing 213 area code, which originally covered the majority of Los Angeles County. Multiple factors prompted the split, including:
- Growth in demand for new telephone lines
- Expansion of cellular service providers
- Increase in paging and fax services at the time
Over time, population growth and technological advancements necessitated the need to expand numbering resources. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), headquartered at 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554, oversees national guidelines for telephone numbering. Detailed information about regulatory standards is found on the FCC official guidelines.
Subsequent changes occasionally prompted overlays or further area code adjustments in nearby regions. However, the 323 area code continues to operate primarily in conjunction with the 213 area code in a region widely recognized as the core of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
How Many People Use the 323 Area Code?
As of recent estimates, Area Code 323 caters to millions of residents and businesses. Given the population density of the greater Los Angeles area, assignment of 323 numbers remains high, especially in commercial and residential communities around Downtown Los Angeles.
The following bullet points provide a broad overview of the demographic and usage scope in 323:
- Extremely high residential density, leading to substantial demand for wireless and landline numbers.
- Large concentrations of small and medium-sized businesses in transitional neighborhoods.
- Continued growth in digital services, leading to higher use of secondary lines for internet-based communications.
According to reports submitted to the CPUC, new telephone numbers in the 323 region are still available but are closely monitored. Inquiries regarding current telephone number allocations can be directed to the CPUC’s Communications Division at 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, or via the California area code regulations page.
Is the 323 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 323 area code is a standard geographic area code, meaning it is not designated as toll-free. Calls made to or from 323 are subject to standard local, long-distance, or roaming charges, depending on individual service plans. In addition, some service providers may implement special rates for certain inter-area code calls within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Toll-free codes—such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833—are distinctly separate from geographic area codes and are regulated under federal guidelines by the FCC. Any questions regarding toll-free numbers should be addressed to the FCC at 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 or by visiting FCC official guidelines.
Local exchange rules in the 323 region are set in accordance with CPUC standards, ensuring a consistent regulatory framework. Businesses or individuals seeking additional information on telephone numbering assignments may consult the CPUC or the Department of Telecommunications and Cable (for out-of-state reference) located at 1000 Industrial Drive, Boston, MA 02136. Comprehensive resources for area code inquiries are also available at the California area code regulations page.