Where Is 831 Area Code?

Where is Area Code 831?

The 831 area code is primarily located along California’s central coast and is officially recognized by the California Public Utilities Commission. California Public Utilities Commission area code resources provide additional information on area code boundaries and regional assignments. Significant cities and locales served under this area code include:

• Salinas
• Santa Cruz
• Monterey
• Watsonville
• Hollister

These areas fall within Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. Local government offices within this region, such as 168 West Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (Monterey County Government Center) and 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (Santa Cruz City Hall), administer a variety of municipal services for residents and businesses in 831’s coverage zone.

What Time Zone Is 831 Area Code in the USA?

Below is a brief overview of the time zone that applies to communities served by area code 831:

The 831 area code follows the Pacific Time Zone, aligning with official national guidelines set forth by the FCC telephone guidelines. During daylight saving time, the area code observes an hour shift forward, generally beginning in spring and concluding in fall. Regulatory oversight of these timekeeping guidelines is conducted at the federal level by the 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 (Federal Communications Commission).

History of the 831 Area Code

The 831 area code was established in 1998 as a result of population shifts and increased demand for telephone numbers in the Monterey Bay and Central Coast regions. This change was enacted under the jurisdiction of the 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 (California Public Utilities Commission), in accordance with official area code modification processes and regulations:

• Split from Area Code 408: Increased telecommunications requirements in the late 1990s prompted the split from the 408 region.
• Elimination of Overlays: Rather than implementing an overlay, planners opted for a split to maintain a single area code across this coastal region.
• Growth of Telecommunication Services: Factors such as expanding residential communities, growing business hubs in the Salinas Valley, and university campuses influenced the decision to introduce a new standalone code.

According to California Public Utilities Commission area code resources, the introduction of 831 allowed the continuation of seven-digit dialing within its coverage area while supporting new lines for an expanding population.

How Many People Use the 831 Area Code?

The region covered by 831 is home to a diverse population of residential and commercial users. Although the numbers can shift over time, estimates derived from the 4600 Silver Hill Rd, Washington, DC 20233 (United States Census Bureau) indicate that over 700,000 individuals reside in its service zone. This figure accounts for:

• Households in major urban centers such as Salinas, Santa Cruz, and Monterey
• Rural communities across Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties
• Growth in telecommunication demand tied to educational institutions and tourism industries

The continuing expansion of mobile devices and internet-based communications has driven increased allocation of new phone numbers within the 831 zone.

Is the 831 Area Code Toll-Free?

Area code 831 is classified as a geographic area code, not a toll-free prefix. Calls placed within the region may incur local or long-distance charges, in accordance with policies set by service providers and local regulatory frameworks. FCC telephone guidelines clarify that toll-free codes typically begin with an 8XX format, such as 800 or 888, and are separate from local geographic area codes.

Organizations seeking toll-free lines must acquire an 8XX prefix type number, which remains distinct from the 831 geographic allocation. For more information on number registration and usage rules, contact the 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 (Federal Communications Commission) or consult the 505 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 (California Public Utilities Commission) for state-specific regulatory procedures.