Done the pullchain bit myself over the years. What I have done recently is wire them to the switch at the stairs - that way (if the basement isn't really being used for anything)the HO can control the number of lights he needs on at any one time, but it still complies with the Code.
Although, to argue the point, I think that if the stairway lighting (controlled by a 3-way circuit, S1 @ the top (1st floor) and S2 @ the bottom (basement)) illuminates enough of the basement to get to pullchain lamp #1, you might be able to that "...one point of control" is at the foot of the stairs.
