SAN DIEGO -- The California Public Utilities Commission approved a plan Thursday to add a new area code to San Diego County.

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The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-1 to change part of the 760 area code to 442. Four commissioners voted in favor of geographically splitting the 760 area code while one voted in favor of the overlay alternative.

The 760 territory currently covers almost one-third of the state. The PUC said San Diego County residents would adapt easier since they already live in a region with multiple area codes.

The CPUC decision will take affect in six months. The change will become permanent and be required in one year. Not everyone is happy.

"The old days where you knew your prefix, area code, you knew you were from Cardiff, Leucadia, Carlsbad -- now you don't know if you're from California," said John Stanley a North County business owner.

The change will affect people living or working in Borrego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Julian, Oceanside, Pauma Valley, Camp Pendleton, Ramona, San Marcos, Valley Center, Vista and Warner Springs, according to the CPUC.

"It's really going to disrupt business in the area just because it's not just changing the area code, it's the expense you put the businesses through," said Ed Maynard, an Encinitas business owner.

Local merchants are afraid that initially they'll lose business because customers will have to break old dialing habits, plus it'll be costly.

"It'll cost us a couple thousand dollars easily, just a small construction company, just to change our T-shirts, business cards, and our construction signs," Stanley said.

Officials estimate that they will run out of 760 telephone numbers in 17 months because of population growth and the increase in cell phones.

Previous Story:

• April 24, 2008: Area Code 760 May Change To 442