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Sent TeamMay 3, 2025 / area code / Article

Complete Guide to Area Code 415: Coverage, Cities, and Regulatory Insights

Explore Area Code 415: San Francisco & Marin County's telecom infrastructure. Understand its overlay type, established in 1947. Covers Novato (38.10742, -122.5697) & San Rafael. Learn about 10-digit dialing, CPUC oversight, & NANPA compliance. Vital for VoIP, wireless & landline services.

Complete Guide to Area Code 415: Coverage, Cities, and Regulatory Insights

Area Code 415 is integral to California's telecommunications, serving San Francisco and Marin County. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of its technical specifications, geographic coverage, and regulatory framework.

What is Area Code 415 and Where is it Located?

Area Code 415 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), established in 1947. It primarily covers San Francisco and Marin County in California. Originally one of the first area codes, it has evolved to accommodate the region's growing population and technological demands.

Technical Specifications

  • NPA Code: 415
  • Type: Overlay
  • Implementation Date: 1947
  • State: California

Geographic Coverage and Major Cities

Area Code 415 serves a vibrant and densely populated region, including:

  • San Francisco: Known for its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
  • Marin County: Includes cities like Novato and San Rafael, offering picturesque landscapes and affluent communities.
  • San Mateo County (partially): Includes areas like South San Francisco, known for its biotech industry.

Key Cities in Area Code 415

CityLatitudeLongitude
Novato, CA38.10742-122.5697
San Anselmo, CA37.97465-122.56164
South San Francisco, CA37.65466-122.40775
San Rafael, CA37.97353-122.53109

Numbering Statistics

  • Total Numbers Available: [Number]
  • Utilization Rate: [Percentage]
  • Exhaust Projection: [Date]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Major Carriers

The area code is serviced by several major carriers, ensuring a wide range of telecommunications services, including landline, wireless, and VoIP.

Services Offered

  • Landline: Traditional wired connections.
  • Wireless: Cellular services for mobile devices.
  • VoIP: Internet-based calling solutions.

Regulatory Framework

  • Regulatory Body: California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees compliance with telecommunications regulations.
  • Dialing Requirements: Ten-digit dialing is mandatory, and eleven-digit dialing is required from landlines.
  • NANPA Regulations: Compliance with NANPA guidelines ensures orderly number allocation and management.

Historical Milestones

  • 1947: Area code 415 is established as one of the original North American area codes.
  • 1950: Sacramento is assigned area code 916, redrawing the boundaries.
  • 1959: Area code 707 is created from the northern part of 415.
  • 1991: Area code 510 is introduced for the East Bay.
  • 1997: Area code 650 is created, splitting San Francisco and San Mateo County.
  • 2015: Area code 628 is added as an overlay to 415 to accommodate growing demand.

Conclusion

Area Code 415 remains a vital part of California's telecommunications network, reflecting the region's growth and technological advancement. The introduction of area code 628 ensures continued availability of phone numbers in this bustling area.

For more detailed regulatory information, visit the California Public Utilities Commission or NANPA. If you're interested in exploring more area codes in California, check out our related articles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area code is San Francisco and Marin County primarily covered by?

San Francisco and Marin County are primarily covered by area code 415.

When was area code 415 established?

Area code 415 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American area codes.

Why were new area codes introduced in the 415 region?

New area codes like 510, 650, and 628 were introduced to accommodate the growing population and demand for phone numbers in the region originally served by 415.

What is the area code for Novato, CA?

Novato, CA is located within area code 415.

Is ten-digit dialing required for calls within area code 415?

Yes, ten-digit dialing (including the area code) is mandatory for all calls within area code 415, and eleven-digit dialing is required from landlines.

What regulatory body oversees area code 415?

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) oversees compliance with telecommunications regulations for area code 415.

What types of telecommunications services are available in area code 415?

Area code 415 offers landline, wireless, and VoIP services.

What area code was implemented as an overlay for 415?

Area code 628 was added as an overlay to area code 415 in 2015.

What counties does area code 415 serve?

Area code 415 primarily serves San Francisco and Marin County, and partially serves San Mateo County.

What is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP)?

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) is a numbering plan for telephone calls within the US and other countries, and area code 415 is part of it.

Which area codes were created from the original 415 area code?

Area codes 707 (1959), 510 (1991), and 650 (1997) were created by splitting the original 415 area code.

What are the latitude and longitude coordinates of San Rafael, CA?

San Rafael, CA is located at approximately 37.97353 latitude and -122.53109 longitude.

What area code is San Francisco California?

San Francisco, California primarily uses area code 415. It also uses the overlay area code 628, which was added in 2015 to accommodate the growing demand for phone numbers. Marin County and parts of San Mateo County also fall under area code 415.

How to dial a 415 number from a landline?

Dialing a 415 number from a landline requires 11 digits. You should dial 1 + area code + 7-digit number. Ten-digit dialing is mandatory for other types of calls, and these requirements are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

What is the history of area code 415 in California?

Area code 415 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American area codes. Over time, new area codes like 916, 707, 510, 650, and 628 were introduced to accommodate growth and split regions. Area code 628 was added to 415 in 2015 as an overlay.

What cities are covered by area code 415?

Area code 415 covers San Francisco, Marin County, and parts of San Mateo County in California. Cities like Novato and San Rafael in Marin County, and South San Francisco in San Mateo County are included in the 415 area code. San Francisco, with landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, is also covered.

Why does San Francisco have two area codes?

San Francisco has two area codes, 415 and 628, due to increased demand for phone numbers. Originally, 415 served the entire area. However, population growth and technological advancements necessitated the addition of 628 as an overlay in 2015. This ensures continued availability of phone numbers.

When was area code 628 added to San Francisco?

Area code 628 was added to San Francisco in 2015. It serves as an overlay to the existing 415 area code. The introduction of 628 ensures continued availability of phone numbers to accommodate the region's growing demand.

What is area code 415 NPA?

The North American Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code for 415 is, simply, 415. This code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), established in 1947. Area code 415 primarily serves San Francisco and Marin County, California.

What does area code 415 cover in California?

Area code 415 covers San Francisco, Marin County, and parts of San Mateo County, California. It was one of the original area codes established in 1947. The area includes cities like Novato, San Rafael, and South San Francisco.

What telecommunication services are available in area code 415?

Area code 415 offers landline, wireless, and VoIP telecommunications services. These are provided by various major carriers, ensuring a diverse range of options for residents and businesses in the area.

What is the regulatory body for area code 415?

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates area code 415. The CPUC oversees compliance with telecommunications regulations, including dialing requirements and number allocation, within the 415 area code, along with adherence to NANPA guidelines.

When should I use 11-digit dialing for area code 415?

Eleven-digit dialing (1 + area code + number) is required when making calls from a landline within or to area code 415. This practice ensures accurate call routing. Ten-digit dialing is mandatory for other types of calls.