I don’t think there would be any reason I would have to officially change plans and re-submit to the City. They really don’t care about 6" in ceiling height, they care about not going higher than the total height approved on the plans.
That extra foot will also materially increase your drywall costs, as now you will need 3 pieces across the wall instead of 2. It’s a lot of extra labor, materials and time.
Also, you probably sized the windows based on 8’ high walls. Adding extra height might make the windows look out of proportion.
Is it really worth it?
If you expand your concept of good-neighbor-ness to the whole neighborhood, the best thing you can do is get top dollar for your house, which will increase the property values of the whole neighborhood. I wouldn’t base the decision about whether to pop the ceilings a bit on the feelings of the most immediate neighbors.
Another vote for sticking with 8 ft ceilings. We have 10 ft ceilings downstairs and 8 ft upstairs. I can’t see much difference because the top floor already feels much airy than the first.
Nottelling, you would be surprised how stupid the neighbors can be! In my neck of the woods, one guy keeps weeds waist-deep in his yard so no one would be able to sell their house for top $$. Why? It would keep his property value low… so he would not pay $$$$ in taxes. We discovered that laurel hedges keep his nuisance dandelions out of sight quite well. 
I toured some homes with 9 or 10 foot ceilings recently. I was amazed at how much more open and large the rooms felt when the square footage was actually quite modest.
I have no opinion on whether you should raise the ceiling height or not, but it sure was nice of the Zoning guy to give you a heads-up about the neighbors’ concerns.
The number of windows, and the spectacular view from the rooms at the top…will make it feel airy enough, in my opinion. I mean aren’t there lots of window, and a patio door…or two? And the outdoor patio up there has a million foot high ceiling
Wouldn’t you need to be standing on TOP of any raised ceiling to benefit from any increased ceiling height? I mean really…you aren’t raising the floor and windows.
After a long discussion with framing guys I have decided to keep exterior walls at 8’1". But we are going to increase the pitch of the roof and have higher vaulting inside the house. Probably extra cost in roof trusses but it will be worth it.
The ceilings will be higher and roofline will be closer to the steep pitch of the original architecture
Just measured and most of our house is just under 8’ inside walls. But it’s bright and open with tons of windows so never feels cramped. The master bedroom has a peaked roof because it was renovated from the original garage. The highest point is just over 10" but the whole room feels extremely spacious.
Have you decided how you’ll finish the inside of the master bedroom ceiling now that it’s vaulted? Something like this? http://www.houzz.com/photos/3696669/Waverly-traditional-bedroom-orange-county
Or this? http://www.houzz.com/photos/5765433/Wellesley-traditional-bedroom-houston
Something dramatic like this" http://fashion-ar.com/high-ceiling-family-room-decorating-ideas-living-room-rustic-with-patio-doors-wall-art-plaid-armchair-wood-molding/high-ceiling-family-room-decorating-ideas-family-room-traditional-with-tray-ceiling-red-leather-coffered-ceiling-red-velvet-6/
Or this (and there’s your wagon wheel chandelier!): http://madebymood.com/inspired-recliner-sectional-inspiration-for-family-room-traditional/chic-recliner-sectional-in-family-room-traditional-with-curved-couch-next-to-vaulted-ceilings-crown-moulding-alongside-ceiling-molding-andcathedral-ceiling/
my vote is something like the first link
Love the first one and the others. The first one has shiplap boards on the ceiling, which I love. But I’m not sure shiplap ceiling boards go with the spanish style of the rest of the house. Although I could carry the shiplap boards out as the ceilings of the balcony and covered deck. They would look really nice on the decks.
I need to research the right ceiling style for the design of the house
Right now I’m struggling with exactly how to place the grid windows (which mimic the windows by front door) in the staircase box sticking up on top floor. I am determined to have same tight spacing as the windows below to match between the floors but they are looking odd in the middle of the wall with 4ft of wall to the left and right of the windows.
Poor guys…I have been standing in front walkway making them stick 2x4s up so I can visualize. “Can you move 1” to the left please?" they don’t call me the inch freak for no reason:)
The realtor who sold us our house had an open house tonight in La Jolla and invited all prior clients to a Sunset Soiree with hors d’oeuvres and a live band. Of course we went! The house is on the market for $3.2 million and the owner is a renowned (I guess) landscape architect so the landscaping is lovely and there’s a sweeping view of Mission Bay and the ocean. It’s a 3344 sq ft one level house with a roof deck reached by a spiral staircase. And - best part - one of their major selling points is “a dumb waiter to the roof deck”. So there you are!
How fun Marilyn. Did the dumbwaiter seem like a true selling point? I’m curious about whether the dumbwaiter is going to be worth it.
How long has property been on the market? Were there a lot of buyers/agents there? I’m interested in the cocktail party Sunset type of Open House. I would really like to try that with this property because the views lend themselves to sunset viewing
Of course you will be invited if we have one:)
The dumbwaiter was noted in the listing description and the other agent enthused over it. And they really needed it to get stuff to the roof deck because the spiral staircase was very narrow and steep - no way you would want to carry a tray of drinks up it.
The house just went on the market: http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-160046596-1935_Bahia_Way_La_Jolla_CA_92037 There was a lovely view but as far as I could tell, there would be few if any days where you could actually see the sunset into the ocean (maybe the middle of winter?). The design was very unusual - can’t get a feel for it from the pictures - every room accessed the outside with its own landscaped patio area, all interconnected.
However, you could not easily age in place in that house because there were little steps all over the place, plus those stairs to the roof. Also just realized you can see into the master bath with the high sided tub from the deck outside the kitchen!
It looked like a few dozen people showed up - not sure how many were neighbors, agents, or buyers. Good hors d’oeuvres! I agree sunset would be a great time to show your house - since your showings will probably be late fall, you could do it in the late afternoon to catch sunset.
Wow. That house is stunning.
I love that house. Love the connection from indoor to outdoor areas. Very desireable location. Not really in La Jolla, more in Pacific Beach. But it’s got the magic zip code that people will pay extra for. Kind of like Beverly Hills 90210
Except for the tub that looks like it was shoved into the corner, it’s really well done. Still, I’m more excited to see what cb’s house will look like! This one is a bit too trendy for me. That kitchen, ugh.
It is a nice, glitzy showcase. I can’t see myself ever living in a place like that.
I was thinking about you, HImom, when I saw those carpeted bedrooms. Out they go!
Yea, we don’t do carpets of stairs anymore. Happy with wooden floors and other solid surfaces that don’t breed allergens. I love homes with no stairs for living in, tho I know you can do a lot more when you have stairs. I’m a klutz and much prefer not dealing with steps and inclines.