(1) Prior to installation of an automatic sprinkler system under RCW 19.27.500 through 19.27.520, an owner or lessee of property who meets the requirements of this section may apply to the assessor of the county in which the property is located for a special property tax exemption. This application shall be made upon forms prescribed by the department of revenue and supplied by the county assessor.

(a)(i) If a lessee of the property has paid for all expenses associated with the installation and purchase of the automatic sprinkler system, then the benefit of the exemption must inure to the lessee.

(ii) A lessee, otherwise eligible to receive the benefit of the exemption under this section, is entitled to receive such benefit only to the extent that the lessee maintains a valid lease agreement with the property owner for the property in which the automatic sprinkler system was installed pursuant to RCW 19.27.500.

(b) An exemption may be granted under this section only to the property owner or lessee that pays for all expenses associated with the installation and purchase of the automatic sprinkler system. In no event may both the property owner and the lessee receive an exemption under this section in the same calendar year for the installation and purchase of the same automatic sprinkler system.

(c) After December 31, 2009, no new application for a special tax exemption under this section may be: Made by a property owner or lessee; or accepted by the county assessor.

(2) As used in this chapter, "special property tax exemption" means the determination of the assessed value of the property subtracting, for ten years, the increase in value attributable to the installation of an automatic sprinkler system under RCW 19.27.500 through 19.27.520.

(3) The county assessor shall, for ten consecutive assessment years following the calendar year in which application is made, place a special property tax exemption on property classified as eligible.