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New ZIP Code to Take Effect Jan. 1

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It’s signed, sealed and delivered: Oak Park 91322.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) released a letter Tuesday signed by U.S. Postal Service Vice President Nicholas Barranca that officially sets Jan. 1, 1999, as the effective date of Oak Park’s new ZIP Code.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. July 23, 1998 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday July 23, 1998 Ventura County Edition Metro Part B Page 6 Zones Desk 1 inches; 17 words Type of Material: Correction
Oak Park ZIP--The Times on Wednesday incorrectly reported the new ZIP Code for Oak Park. Starting Jan. 1, it will be 91377.

Residents have expected the arrival of the long-awaited ZIP Code since Sherman announced it in May. But that was based on a verbal agreement with the Postal Service. Now the new number is official.

Sherman, who represents parts of Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley, urged constituents not to use the new ZIP Code before January, and said there would be a transition period of one year when both the current and new ZIP Codes would be valid.

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Oak Park has fought for its own ZIP Code for many years. Sherman argued that by sharing a ZIP Code with Agoura Hills, which is in Los Angeles County, Oak Park residents were often assumed to live there too.

Sales tax is lower in Ventura County, and residents complained they were often charged the Los Angeles County rate when making purchases through the mail or over the Internet, based on their ZIP Code. The difference became a greater issue, Sherman said, when Oak Park residents bought new cars and dealers charged the higher sales tax.

Other annoyances included Oak Park residents receiving jury summons from Los Angeles County. And while the occurrence was rare, Sherman warned it would be dangerous if 911 calls were sent to the wrong dispatchers because of ZIP Code confusion.

Sherman has lobbied for the ZIP Code change for two years.

“I plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends in Oak Park, so I can be among the first to mail a letter using the new ZIP Code,” he said.

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