"Single-family structure divided into 3 apartments" - Uhhhh, what?

[Chris Sweeney]

I have a triplex in a township in Southeastern PA. This township has been overcharging certain property owners in a way that isn't in line with their code book. 3-unit properties and up should pay less per unit for rental licenses than do 1- and 2-unit properties (according to the code). However, this township has been charging me and several other 3+ unit property owners at the more expensive 1- and 2-unit rate. I called them out on it, and although the township solicitor (attorney) agreed with me in writing, the township manager is still trying to fight back because he knows the township will end up having to reimburse many rental property owners past-and-present for years and years of rental license fees, plus interest, damages, legal fees, etc.

The township manager is defending the township by claiming that our triplex is a "single-family structure divided into 3 apartments". Haha what?!

I'll spare you all the details, but I just need to know what other investors, appraisers, realtors, insurance agents, etc. think of this classification. Am I crazy, or does anybody else think calling a standard triplex a "single-family structure divided into 3 apartments" is one of the most ridiculous things they've ever heard? Or is a 1-unit property that has 3-units in it actually a thing?