Buying in Shirley: the questions with sourced answers
Each answer is built from Shirley’s own rows in public data — the Census, NYSDOH, NYSDEC, FEMA, the office that holds the permits — or from Lou’s reports, and cites its source. Data retrieved 1 November 2026.
How old are the houses in Shirley?
Median year built in zip 11967: 1975 (Suffolk County: 1970). Of 8,922 units, the 1970s built the most, 35%; 9% is from 2000 on. Next come the 1950s at 15% and the 1980s at 13%. An older house is not a worse house, but its wiring, plumbing and roof were installed under different rules and replaced piecemeal, which is what the inspection looks for. Lou’s reports here: 61 years old. (ACS)
How are homes in Shirley heated? Is an oil tank likely?
81% fuel oil or kerosene, 6% utility gas; fuel oil 81% against 45% county-wide. NYSDEC logs 474 petroleum spills at private homes in Shirley since 1984, 114 since 2015. 26 were logged in 2012, the year of Hurricane Sandy. Ask about a tank, and for closure papers. A tank can be buried in the yard or sit in the basement, and a removed one should come with paperwork. Buried tanks are outside the standards New York sets for a home inspection, so the seller’s answer matters. (ACS, NYSDEC)
Is Shirley mostly houses or apartments, owned or rented?
95% detached houses; 91% owner-occupied (Suffolk County: 82%). Detached houses dominate, so most inspections here run from the roof to the foundation of one building. (ACS)
Is radon a concern in Shirley?
Town of Brookhaven: 153 basement tests, average 1.79 pCi/L, 8 at 4 or above (5%). Suffolk County: 8% of 576. First-floor tests there: 85, average 0.79. On the share at 4 or above, it ranks 6th of the county’s 10 towns and cities. The highest basement reading was 15.6 pCi/L. EPA’s action level is 4 pCi/L, and it advises testing every home whatever the area’s results. Radon testing is optional. (NYSDOH)
Has Shirley flooded? Is the house in a flood zone?
390 flood-insurance claims from zip 11967 since 1978, most in 2012 (128): 40th of the 189 zips on these pages. A claim count describes the zip, not the house; 2012 was the year of Hurricane Sandy. Flood zones follow the address. Check the address on FEMA’s map. (OpenFEMA)
Who holds the permits and certificate of occupancy in Shirley?
The Town of Brookhaven Building Division. Your attorney usually runs the search. The inspection reports the condition of what is there and flags work that typically needs a permit, such as a finished basement, a dormer or a moved panel, so you know what to ask about.
How does Shirley compare with the towns around it?
By median year built, fuel-oil share and owner-occupancy: Shirley (zip 11967) 1975, 81%, 91%; Medford (zip 11763): built 1976, oil 62%, 90% owner-occupied; Manorville (zip 11949): built 1993, oil 36%, 87% owner-occupied; Patchogue (zip 11772): built 1969, oil 43%, 70% owner-occupied. (ACS)
Which code, water and sewer rules apply in Shirley?
The New York State Uniform Code, the Suffolk County Water Authority and private wells, and the Sanitary Code rules on cesspools (no in-kind replacement since 2017) and I/A septic systems: county-wide, written once. They are the same for every town in Suffolk County, so they are set out there with their sources instead of on each page.
How much does a home inspection in Shirley cost, and how fast is the report?
Lou quotes the actual property, not a flat rate — what drives the price is size, age and what is included. The written report arrives the same day as a rule; a large or complex house can run to the next morning. Call or text 516-330-3870.
