(213) Vintage Area Code Expanding?

LOS ANGELES–The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold community meetings next week on a proposal to begin using the 213 area code in neighborhoods currently served by the 323 area code, which is running out of phone numbers.

According to the commission, the 323 area code is on pace to run out of numbers by March 2018. The CPUC hopes to begin using the 213 area code in the area by November 2017.

According to the commission, the 323 area code serves a large portion of the city of Los Angeles, along with the cities of Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Commerce, Cudahy, Glendale, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, South Gate, South Pasadena, Vernon and West Hollywood.

The 213 area code primarily covers the downtown Los Angeles area.

The CPUC will hold public meetings on the proposal at:

10 a.m. Sept. 8 at the South Gate City Council Chamber, 8650 California Ave.

2 p.m. Sept. 8 and 10 a.m. Sept. 9 at Junipero Serra State Building, Carmel Room, 320 W. Fourth St., Los Angeles

2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the South Pasadena City Council Chamber, 1414 Mission St.

7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the South Pasadena Public Library, 1115 El Centro St.

2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Memorial Branch Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.

Public comments can also be submitted by mail or online here or by email to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov.