ᐅ Definition of Basement Level

I have a question regarding the definition of the basement level.

In Lower Saxony, the definition is as follows:

Lower Saxony Building Code dated 3.12.2012, § 2 Terms, paragraphs 6 and 7
(6) A storey above ground is a storey whose ceiling upper edge exceeds the ground surface by more than 1.40 m (4.6 feet) on average. A basement storey is a storey that does not meet the requirements in sentence 1.
(7) A full storey is an above-ground storey that has a clear height of 2.20 m (7.2 feet) or more over at least half of its floor area. A top storey is only considered a full storey if it has the clear height mentioned in sentence 1 over more than two-thirds of the floor area of the storey below. Intermediate ceilings or mezzanines that separate unwalkable cavities from a storey are disregarded when applying sentences 1 and 2. Cavities between the top ceiling and the roof covering, where habitable rooms are not possible due to the required clear height, do not count as top storeys.

In my case, does the garage integrated into the basement need to be included? Also, would the attached floor plan meet the definition of a basement storey?

What exactly does “clear height” mean? Is it the distance from the top edge of the finished floor to the bottom edge of the ceiling, or are flooring and paneling considered as well?

Guido1980 schrieb:

In my case, does the garage integrated into the basement need to be considered, or would the attached floor plan meet the definition of a basement level?

My view:
Your basement consists of living spaces as well as the walk-in garage. Therefore, the basement probably (this would need to be calculated) extends more than 1.40 meters (4 feet 7 inches) on average above ground level and meets the ceiling height requirements for a full story. However, I could be mistaken.
@Escroda?

You just need to make sure that less than 1.40 meters (4 feet 7 inches) is exposed.

ypg schrieb:

My perspective:
Your basement includes living spaces as well as the walkable ceiling of the garage. So the basement likely (this should be calculated) extends more than 1.40 meters (4 ft 7 in) on average above ground level and with the ceiling height meets the requirements of a full storey. But I could be wrong.
@Escroda?

But the walkable ceiling is actually the terrace, so that probably shouldn’t affect the definition of storeys, right?
And the "living spaces" can still be renamed to "Basement1," "Basement2," and so on, correct?

If you reduce the clear ceiling height to 2.20 meters (7 ft 3 in), the rooms would still be fully usable, and at least that hurdle would be cleared.

However, if the clear height is only 220 cm (87 inches), you might encounter problems with vehicles like SUVs or need to drive very carefully (roof racks, roof boxes, etc.). Usually, there will also be a garage door that opens upwards.

Guido1980 schrieb:

But the walkable ceiling

I have edited my post to improve it a bit, so please read it again.
It doesn’t matter whether they are “living spaces” or “basement rooms.” The floor just must not protrude “more than 1.4 on average.”
In my opinion, the garage also counts towards this.

kbt09 schrieb:

However, if the clear height is only 220 cm (87 inches), you might run into problems with vehicles like SUVs or have to drive very carefully (roof racks, roof boxes, etc.). Usually, there will also be a garage door that opens upwards.

I don’t see it as that critical. First, no SUV with a roof box is planned, and second, even a BMW X5, for example, is only about 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall. Also, a sectional garage door doesn’t take up that much height.

ypg schrieb:

I have edited my post, so it’s improved a bit. Please have another read.

But couldn’t this also be managed by landscaping or terracing the garden?