CLEVELAND — There’s a new area code coming to Northeast Ohio this year: Welcome to the 436.
But why?
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) previously announced that the current 440 area code “is expected to run out of available phone numbers in the third quarter of 2024.” In response, the PUCO approved a plan to overlay the new 436 area code over the existing 440 area code.
“The new 436 area code will serve the same geographic area currently served by the existing 440 area code,” according to the PUCO. “Existing customers will not need to change their phone numbers but will keep their current phone numbers and area code.”
Once the new area code is implemented, all new phone subscribers will be assigned the new 436 area code.
Verizon, which notes the new 436 area code will take effect starting March 1, says the impacted areas in the current 440 area code include the following Northeast Ohio communities:
- Ashtabula
- Eastlake
- Elyria
- Lorain
- Mentor
- North Olmsted
- North Ridgeville
- North Royalton
- Parma
- Parma Heights
- Rocky River
- Solon
- Strongsville
- Westlake
- Willoughby