One basement level should be allowed for use for parking vehicles and technical purposes, it said in a proposal to the people’s committee.
It said there is "huge" demand for basements, especially in the downtown area.
In the last 20 years the city has approved the construction of basements in 1,600 homes, 40% of them in District 1.
But they were given based on a national standard since the city does not have its own guidelines.
The department therefore wanted basements included in the city’s zoning plan for district-level authorities to issue permits.