35. A story is a space between the level of one finished floor and the level of the next higher finished floor, or, if the top story, the space between the level of the highest finished floor and the top of the highest roof beams, or, if the first story, the space between the level of the finished floor and the finished ceiling immediately above. For the purpose of measuring height by stories in multiple dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, one additional story shall be added for each twelve feet or fraction thereof that the first story exceeds fifteen feet in height, and for each twelve feet or fraction thereof that any story above the first story exceeds twelve feet in height.
36. Except as otherwise provided, the curb level, for the purpose of measuring the height of any portion of a building, is the level of the curb at the center of the front of the building; except that where a building faces on more than one street, the curb level is the average of the levels of the curbs at the center of each front. Where no curb elevation has been established the mean level of the land immediately adjacent to the building prior to any excavation or fill shall be considered the curb level, unless the city engineer shall establish such curb level or its equivalent.
37. A cellar in a dwelling is an enclosed space having more than one-half of its height below the curb level. A cellar shall not be counted as a story.
38. A basement is a story partly below the curb level but having at least one-half of its height above the curb level. A basement shall be counted as a story.