Duration / validity of Resident Permit

Hello,
I am renewing the resident of my daughter (her father, my usband is chinese).
During the past 3 years, we have renew without any difficulties, for duration less than 1 year considering the fees (400RMB if less than a year, 800RMB if one year or more)..
Now, although it is a renewal, the application has became much more strict for our daughter (3years old and she even had to pass through health examination, which was never done before ...) so considering the long and hard process to get all necessary paper, we have asked to get more than a year, at least up to march 2016, similar as the validity of her passport...
But the referent Bureau told us it is can only be requested for less than a year, 1 year or 2 years... a round number only .. they said it is impossible to get 1.5 year...(?!?)
Do you confirm the information? (although my husband is chinese) We can not get clear infomation.. what are the rules regarding duration of the resident permit?
Thanks for your help in advance!