SAN DIEGO -- The California Public Utilities Commission Thursday approved a plan to change the 760 area code for residents in the North County to 442 to help ease a telephone number shortage.

The new 442 area code will be assigned to San Diego County residents 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.

The existing northern section of the 760 area code, which extends into Riverside and Imperial counties and along much of the eastern half of the state, will stay the same, according to the CPUC.

The change is needed to accommodate population growth and the proliferation of wireless phones that have nearly exhausted the 7.9 million telephone numbers created with the introduction of the 760 area code in 1997.

"The CPUC had to act to increase the available telephone numbers to serve consumers," said CPUC President Michael R. Peevey.

The 760 area code was expected to run out of numbers within 17 months.

North County residents can start dialing the new 442 area code six months from Thursday, according to the CPUC. The change will become permanent and be required in one year.