Residents of Stafford County may have noticed a change in the way they make telephone calls . As of May 14 , 2022 , local calls require 10 - digit dialing . Available phone numbers with 540 as the area code have run out . This action is the first step in a June 2020 relief plan approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission ( SCC ) to phase in a new 826 area code to add more available numbers . The SCC approved an overlay , which adds another area code ( 826 ) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code ( 540 ) .
   What number will I have?
   If you already have a 540 number , you will keep the same number . Officials chose to go with the overlay option because it caused the least impact on existing phone numbers . They could have split the area code to free up more 540 numbers and forced half the area to adopt the new 826 number . This decision would have caused unnecessary expenses to businesses and other organizations that would have had to change their numbers .
   However , new businesses and residents may be assigned numbers using the new 826 area code starting June 14 , 2022 .
   Does this change impact how I dial numbers?
   Yes . As cell phone users have long had to do , landline callers will be required to dial all ten digits of a phone number . This process started on May 14 , 20022 .
   What areas are impacted?
   The 540 area code encompasses the northwestern and southwestern portions of Virginia; some larger cities include Blacksburg , Christiansburg , Culpeper , Fredericksburg , Front Royal , Harrisonburg , Radford , Roanoke , Salem , Staunton , Waynesboro and Winchester .
   Questions? Visit:
   https://scc . virginia . gov/newsreleases/release/10 - Digit - Dialing - Mandatory - for - 540 - 826
    or call
   Ford Carson
    , at 804 - 371 - 914 .
    
   

Press release information :

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