source:
  type: guide
  id: usda-hb-3555-1.9
  authority: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶1.9 —
    Exception Authority
  description: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶1.9
    — Exception Authority.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: usda-hb-3555-1.9-full
  canonical_id: usda-hb-3555-1.9-full
  section: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶1.9 — Exception
    Authority
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - usda
  - usda-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: USDA SFH Guaranteed Loan Program Technical Handbook HB-1-3555 ¶1.9
      — Exception Authority
    source_class: usda-handbook
    source_url: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/hb-1-3555_consolidated.pdf
    snapshot_id: 0466acd1ea2d17a4
    fetched_at: '2026-05-25T14:10:13Z'
    content_hash: sha256:22ac6f998ff72578e318fca138ebe80fb18ae2fc701eb5936172f1842679a13a
    paragraph_quote: '1.9 EXCEPTION AUTHORITY Exceptions to any requirement of this
      Handbook, or 7 CFR Part 3555, can be approved in individual cases by the Administrator,
      or designee, if application of the requirement or failure to take action would
      either adversely affect the Government’s interest or conflict with the objectives
      and spirit of the authorizing statute. Any exception must be consistent with
      the authorizing statute and other applicable laws. A. Who Can File a Request
      Only Agency staff may file a request for an exception. However, lenders can
      request that the Agency consider submission of a formal request for exception.
      When asking the Agency to consider requesting an exception, the lender should
      include documentation that demonstrates how the exception would protect the
      Government’s interest or maintain consistency with the program’s authorizing
      statute. B. What Must Be Included in the Request The exception request developed
      by the Agency for the Administrator, or designee, must provide clear and convincing
      evidence of the need for the exception. At a minimum, the request must include:
      x A full explanation of the unique circumstances, including an explanation of
      any adverse effect on the Government’s interest if the waiver is not granted;
      x A discussion of proposed alternatives considered; and x A discussion of how
      the adverse effect will be eliminated or minimized if the exception is granted.
      HB-1-3555 (03-09-16) SPECIAL PN 1-8 Revised (06-24-22) PN 563 Guidance documents
      lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or
      incorporated into a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance
      that is not available through their guidance portal, except to establish historical
      facts. C. Where Requests are Submitted Requests for exceptions are submitted
      to the Administrator, through the Deputy Administrator, Single Family Housing.
      Requests may be initiated by: x The Executive Director, Single Family Housing
      Guaranteed Loan Program; or x The Deputy Administrator, Single Family Housing.
      Requests for exceptions regarding architectural and engineering, environmental,
      or civil rights issues will be referred for review and comment to the appropriate
      technical staff prior to making an exception request of the Administrator.'
  judgment: false
