[Cob] Process for buying land/building cob

[Scott Race]

Hello,
  Wanted to clarify this for myself and see if anyone had some better ways
to go about what I'm trying to do...

I'm looking at buying land in El Dorado County, California.  The land would
be zoned residential and possibly have electric and water hookups.  I would
make sure to get a perc test done before making an offer on the land to
ensure I could install septic.

If all that passed, I bought the land and my building permits were not
approved, I'd be stuck with the land.  Is there any way to find out if
you're building plan would be approved before actually buying the land, or
is that the chance you take?  Any ideas would be appreciated!

Scott