Area Code Atlas

NPA 804 split from 703

Area code 804 was created on June 24, 1973, when the eastern portion of Virginia was split from area code 703. Permissive dialing of 703 continued statewide until January 1, 1974. The split covered the eastern two-thirds of the state, with Danville and regions eastward assigned to 804, while 703 remained in the northern and western parts.

End of permissive dialing after 703/804 split

The official permissive dialing period for area code 804 ended on January 1, 1974, requiring all calls in the new region to use the 804 code. Permissive dialing between area codes 703 and 804 continued until this date, allowing callers to use either code during the transition period following the 1973 split.

Mandatory dialing for NPA 804 after split from 703

Permissive dialing for area code 703 ended on January 1, 1974, following the 1973 split that created area code 804. After this date, callers were required to use the correct area code for calls between the affected regions.

NANP-SPLIT OF 804 (VIRGINIA) NUMBERING PLAN AREA (NPA)

NPA 757 split from 804

Area code 757 was established on July 1, 1996, as a geographic split from 804. The new code served the Hampton Roads metropolitan area and the Eastern Shore, while 804 continued to serve central Virginia. The split was implemented to address number exhaustion in the rapidly growing southeastern region of Virginia.

Area code 801 split to create 435

On September 21, 1997, area code 801 was geographically reduced to the Wasatch Front, while the rest of Utah was assigned area code 435. This split created an enclave area code for 801 and established 435 for the remainder of the state.

Announcement of split of area code 804 to create 434

In December 2000, the Virginia State Corporation Commission announced that area code 804 would be split due to anticipated depletion of central office prefixes by April 2002. The new area code 434 would serve the south-central region of Virginia.

804 NPA Split; Creating 434 NPA (Virginia)

Area code 434 officially effective

Area code 434 became officially effective on June 1, 2001, serving the south-central region of Virginia. On this date, long-distance calls could be made using either area code 804 or 434.

Area code 434 becomes officially effective

Area code 434 became officially effective on June 1, 2001, allowing long-distance telephone calls to be made using either area code 804 or 434 during the permissive dialing period.

NPA 434 split from 804

Area code 434 was created from a split of 804 on June 1, 2001, taking over most of the western portion of the previous 804 region, including Danville, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville. The new code covers south-central Virginia including Lynchburg and Charlottesville.

Mandatory ten-digit dialing for 804

Area code 804 transitioned to mandatory ten-digit dialing on October 24, 2021, due to the nationwide designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which conflicted with existing seven-digit dialing in the area.

Overlay relief for 804 approved

The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved an all-services distributed overlay for the 804 area code on November 16, 2022, to address forecasted number exhaustion. The new overlay would serve the same geographic area as 804.

NPA 686 approved to overlay 804

Area code 686 was approved on November 22, 2022, to overlay the existing 804 region, providing additional numbering resources for central Virginia and the Northern Neck.

SCC approves new area code 686 for 804 overlay

The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the new area code 686 on November 22, 2022, to be implemented as an overlay after all central office prefixes of 804 had been assigned.

NPA 686 overlay on 804 announced

NPA 686 to Overlay NPA 804 (Virginia)

Network preparation for 804/686 overlay begins

Network preparation and customer education for the 804/686 overlay began on May 1, 2023, in advance of the activation of the new area code.

NPA 686 activation for overlay of 804

Area code 686 was activated on February 1, 2024, as an overlay for the 804 region, allowing new telephone numbers in the area to be assigned with the new code.

NPA 686 overlay of 804 implemented

Area code 686 was implemented as an overlay of area code 804 on February 1, 2024, to relieve exhaustion of central office prefixes in the 804 numbering plan area. Network preparation began on May 1, 2023. The overlay serves the same geographic region including Richmond and the Northern Neck.