A Local Fence Company — Not a Franchise

937 My Fence is the operating name for Potter Fence Company, founded by Darryll Potter in Tipp City in 1997. We’ve been installing fences throughout the Miami Valley for nearly 30 years — long enough to have fenced in the backyards of homeowners whose kids have grown up and are now calling us for their own homes.

We are not a national franchise with a local phone number. When you call us, you’re talking to the same team that shows up to your property, sets your posts, and walks the finished fence with you before we leave. Our crew knows Miami Valley soil conditions, local permit requirements city by city, and what good installation looks like after Ohio winters have had their way with it.

Want pricing first? Review our Dayton fence cost guide, compare by material — vinyl, wood, aluminum, chain link — or request a free estimate directly.

Why Fence Installation in the Miami Valley Is Different

The Miami Valley sits on clay-heavy glacial till — dense soil that holds moisture and shifts significantly through Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles. Posts set too shallow in this soil heave and lean within a few winters. Drainage around post bases matters more here than in sandier soils further south. Fence panels that look plumb at installation can tilt noticeably after one or two hard winters if the foundation work wasn’t done right.

Ohio’s frost line across the Miami Valley runs approximately 24 to 36 inches. We set posts to a minimum of 36 inches throughout our service area — deeper on wetter lots and near drainage corridors. We’ve gone behind other companies’ work across Dayton, Troy, Kettering, and Huber Heights and seen what shortcuts look like after a few seasons. We don’t take them.

Every city in our service area also has its own fence permit requirements — Troy requires two separate permits (zoning and building), Tipp City requires a zoning permit and has a Historic District where vinyl is prohibited, Dayton has specific height and transparency rules for front yards. We know these requirements because we work in these cities every week.

Fence Types We Install

Choosing the Right Fence Material

Goal	Best Material	Miami Valley Note
Backyard privacy	Vinyl or wood	Up to 6 ft in most cities; permit required
Lowest maintenance	Vinyl or aluminum	Vinyl prohibited in some Historic Districts
Historic District property	Wood or aluminum	COA required; material rules vary by city
Front yard definition	Aluminum or open picket	Max 42 in most cities; open style required
Pet containment	Wood, vinyl, or chain link	Chain link restricted to side/rear yards
Pool enclosure	Aluminum or vinyl	Must meet Ohio pool barrier code
Budget-conscious	Chain link	Most affordable per linear foot
Commercial property	Chain link or aluminum	Height limits differ in commercial zones

For a full material comparison, see our guide on choosing the right fence material. For wood vs. vinyl specifically, see wood vs. vinyl fence in Ohio.

Recent Fence Installations

Real projects completed by our crew across Dayton and the Miami Valley.

View all completed fence projects →

How Our Installation Process Works

1. Free estimate: We visit your property, assess terrain and lot conditions, discuss material options, and provide a written estimate. No charge, no pressure.
2. Permit coordination: Permit requirements vary city to city across the Miami Valley. We help you understand what’s required for your specific address before anything is scheduled.
3. Ohio 811 utility locate: Required by Ohio law before any digging. We call 811 a minimum of 48 to 72 hours before installation begins.
4. Post setting: Posts set to a minimum of 36 inches throughout the Miami Valley — deeper on wetter lots. Concrete poured and cured before panel installation.
5. Installation and walkthrough: Panels, rails, and gate hardware installed to spec. We walk the completed fence with you before leaving the job site.

Local Fence Installation Service Areas

We install fences throughout Dayton and the Miami Valley. Each city has its own permit process, zoning rules, and soil conditions — we know them because we work in all of them regularly. Learn more about fence installation in your city:

We also serve Englewood, Xenia, Piqua, Vandalia, Miamisburg, Springboro, and surrounding Miami Valley communities. See our full service area page for a complete list.

Fence Installation FAQs

Do I need a permit to install a fence in the Dayton area?

Yes, in virtually every city and township across the Miami Valley. The specific requirements differ by location — Troy requires both a city zoning permit and a separate Miami County building permit. Tipp City requires a zoning permit from the city. Dayton requires a fence permit for new installations. Most municipalities require a site plan showing property lines, fence location, and dimensions. We help you understand what’s required for your specific address before installation begins. For details by city, see our Dayton area fence permit guide.

How much does fence installation cost in Dayton and the Miami Valley?

Cost depends on material, total linear footage, number of gates, terrain, and whether old fencing needs to be removed first. Chain link is the most affordable per linear foot. Vinyl and aluminum cost more upfront but require minimal long-term maintenance. Wood falls in the middle on both cost and maintenance. For current pricing ranges see our Dayton fence cost guide and individual guides for vinyl, wood, aluminum, and chain link.

How deep are fence posts set in the Miami Valley?

We set posts to a minimum of 36 inches throughout our service area. Ohio’s frost line in the Miami Valley ranges from 24 to 36 inches, and the region’s clay-heavy soil retains moisture and shifts more than sandier soils. Posts set too shallow heave and lean after a few winters. On wetter lots or near drainage corridors, we go deeper. See our fence installation guide for more on our process.

What is the best fence for Ohio weather?

Vinyl and aluminum both handle Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles well and require minimal seasonal maintenance. Wood performs well with proper installation — pressure-treated posts, moisture management at the base, and periodic staining or sealing. In Miami Valley clay soil, post depth and drainage management matter as much as material choice. A well-installed wood fence will outlast a poorly installed vinyl one. See our full comparison at choosing the right fence material.

What fence is best for backyard privacy?

Vinyl and wood are the standard choices for backyard privacy throughout the Miami Valley. Both can reach 6 feet in side and rear yards in most cities. Vinyl requires less maintenance; wood offers more design flexibility and is required in some Historic Districts where vinyl is prohibited. See our best privacy fence guide for Ohio for a full comparison.

Should I repair or replace my existing fence?

Isolated damage — a single leaning post, a few broken panels, a sagging gate — is usually worth repairing. Widespread lean, rot at multiple post bases, or structural failure across a large section typically makes replacement the better long-term investment. In the Miami Valley, most fence failures we see trace back to posts that were never set deep enough in the first place. Our repair vs. replace guide walks through how to evaluate it.

How long does fence installation take?

Most residential fence installations are completed in one to two days once permits are in hand and materials are on site. Larger projects, complex terrain, or multiple gates may take an additional day. Weather is the most common variable. See our fence installation timeline guide for more detail.

Get a Free Fence Estimate

937 My Fence — Potter Fence Company — has been installing fences in the Miami Valley since 1997. We provide free written estimates, handle permit coordination, and install fencing built to last in Ohio conditions. Use our free estimate tool, call 937-693-3623, or browse our portfolio of completed projects to see our work.